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FROM 

CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 
A STORY OF WEST POINT 


The Boys 

Story of the Army Series 

By 

FLORENCE KIMBALL RUSSEL 

Born to the Blue . . . . $1.25 

In West Point Gray . . . 1.50 

From Chevrons to Shoulder- 
Straps 1.50 

THE PAGE COMPANY 
S 3 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. 


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1 DIRECT YOU TO GET BACK TO YOUR TENTS AT ONCE, 

HE thundered’^ {See page 221) 


★ 

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The Boys* Story of ihc Army Series 

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From Chevrons 

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to 

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Shoulder-Straps 

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A STORY OF WEST POINT 

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By 

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FLORENCE KIMBALL RUSSEL 

Author of “ Born to the Blue,” " In West Point Gray,” etc. 

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Illustrated by 


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JOHN GOSS 

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THE PAGE COMPANY 

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TZi 

■T?^13 

F 


Copyright, 1914, by 
The Page Company 

All rights reserved 


First Impression, September, 1914 


oHP 29 1914 


THE COLONIAL PRESS 
C. H. SIMONDS CO., BOSTON, U. 8. A. 



©CI.A379765 


PUBLISHERS’ NOTE 


-Vi 


In the present volume, as in the previous 
volumes of the series, the author describes the 
West Point of twenty-five years ago when, in 
her own words, football was an unknown 
quantity, and baseball played so seldom that 
the average score might be summed up briefly 
as a broken nose on one side to a dislocated 
thumb on the other . . . camps, drills, and 
riding-hall experiences replacing the athletics 
-of other schools. But in spite of this lack of 
’Valorous intercollegiate rivalry, the life at West 
Point was not without interest, the very fight 
for standing in the section-room having its 
romantic side, while no crack players on the 
modem football eleven or baseball nine are 
more looked up to than were the men wearing 
chevrons in those old days.^’ 

The development of a raw ‘‘ plebe into a 
manly, self-reliant young soldier is depicted. 


V 


VI 


PUBLISHERS’ NOTE 


and many incidents show the high code of 
honor among the cadets, and how disciphne 
and the glorious traditions of the Academy are 
maintained, quite aside from the Tactical De- 
partment and Academic Board. 

True to its conservatism, the West Point of 
to-day is the West Point of twenty-five years 
ago, save in the matter of sports, so Mrs. Rus- 
sel ’s book may well be called an accurate pic- 
ture of life at the Military Academy. 

Any boy who took an interest in Jack Stir- 
ling of ‘‘ Bom to the Blue ” will be glad to 
follow him through the four years’ course that 
made him a lieutenant in the regular army. 

‘‘In West Point Gray ” presented Stirling 
and his friends as “ plebes ” and “ year- 
lings; ” and “From Chevrons to Shoulder- 
Straps ” carries them up to the day of grad- 
uation. 


CONTENTS 


CELIPT** 

I. 

The Furlough Class Returns 



FAGB 

1 

II. 

Applied Tactics 



19 

III. 

The Bootuck .... 



34 

IV. 

The Battalion Shows Its Displeasure , 

46 

V. 

The Persecution of Riggs . 



63 

VI. 

Raymond Becomes a Spoonoid 



74 

VII. 

Gray Days in Barracks 



92 

VIII. 

Mr. Dodd Makes Trouble . 



104 

IX. 

Cut by the First Class 



117 

X. 

The Fight 



127 

XI. 

Adonis Joins His Regiment 



139 

XII. 

An Unpopular Order . 



147 

XIII. 

First Class Camp . 



155 

XIV. 

The Unexpected Happens . 



171 

XV. 

The Temptation 



183 

XVI. 

A Warning .... 



194 

XVII. 

Sunshine and Shadow . 



205 

XVIII. 

What Bayard Did . 



215 

XIX. 

Back in Barracks . 



223 

XX. 

A Snow - storm .... 



236 

XXI. 

A Coasting Party . 



245 

XXII. 

Raymond Has a Fall . 


. 

255 

XXIII. 

The Goat of the Class 


. 

264 

XXIV. 

The Beginning of the End 


. 

270 

XXV. 

Old Cadets .... 



282 

XXVI. 

Graduation .... 



289 


Appendix .... 



303 


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“ ‘ I DIRECT YOU TO GET BACK TO YOUR TENTS AT ONCE/ 

HE THUNDERED ” {See page 221) . . Frontispiece y/' 

“ The first classman waited, arms folded, to see 


WHAT Raymond would do ” 

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SOMETHING 


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ff 

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A 

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FEOM CHEVRONS TO 
SHOULDER-STRAPS 

CHAPTER ONE 

THE FURLOUGH CLASS RETURNS 

The best part of going away on furlough 
is getting back again ! ’ ’ 

As he spoke, Bartholomew Bayard stepped 
across his room in Cadet Barracks for a better 
general view of the turkey-red curtain he was 
tacking over the alcove, and so escaped a vol- 
ume of Bloxam^s Chemistry shied at his head 
by little Riggs of B Company. 

‘‘ Is that an epigram or an Irish bull, Bay- 
ard? ’’ 

It’s optimism,” laughed Robert Marr, who 
was writing his name in a formidable array of 
new books just drawn from the commissary — 
books which represented the academic work of 

second class year at West Point. 

1 


2 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Lieutenant Griswold once said that ‘ an 
optimist is a man who makes a pessimist of 
his neighbor/ ’’ quoted John Raymond of Mis- 
souri, not inaptly. 

Bayard mechanically straightened a leaf in 
the hook he had picked up before answering: 

But iUs not optimism, fellows. I’m gen- 
uinely glad to be home again.” 

** Home again!” Riggs assumed an anx- 
ious expression. ‘‘ How’s your temperature, 
Chevalier? Pulse normal? Appetite good? 
Let me have a look at your tongue! Why, I 
never heard of any one returning cheerfully 
from furlough. It’s a dangerous symptom.” 

Bayard grinned somewhat sheepishly. He 
knew that he could never make a man like Riggs 
understand how he had longed for the Point 
all summer, nor that he had actually welcomed 
the day of return as Riggs had welcomed the 
day of departure two months before. His old 
dress-coat was like a friendly arm around him, 
and he could scarcely keep his eyes otf the new 
chevrons on his sleeve. To put the crowning 
touch to his joy, Marr, one of his best friends 
at the Academy, had asked him to share his 


THE FURLOUGH CLASS RETURNS 3 


room for the year, while just across the hall 
were Jack Stirling and Raymond, both of whom 
Bayard classed in his hero-worshipping heart 
with Graham, the ranking cadet captain and 
idol of the Corps. Small wonder, then, that 
the strong white teeth, which had caused the 
quixotic Chevalier ’’ no end of trouble in 
plebe camp, were very much in evidence, and 
that in spite of himself he could not look melan- 
choly, an expression much in vogue for return- 
ing furloughmen their first days in bar- 
racks. 

Riggs glared from one cheerful face to the 
other and sniffed audibly: 

You three make me tired; and, of course, 
old Stirling goes you one better! Why, you 
don’t act like returned furloughmen at all, and 
somebody said that not one of you slept through 
reveille this morning. A nice example for the- 
Big Four to set the class! ” 

Bayard admitted his own guilt shamefacedly. 
He knew that it was against every cadet prece- 
dent for a returned furloughman not to sleep 
through all the racket of the drums and fifes 
his first morning in barracks, and yet somehow 


4 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


he had been awake on the instant, notwith- 
standing he had slept as late as he pleased 
during the summer. But, oh, it was so natural 
to be back again within sound of the drums and 
fifes; so in the ordinary course of things to 
march to and from classes and to and from 
meals ; so delightfully familiar to have the sub- 
division inspector come around after Taps 
with his dark lantern. The very pipe-clay of 
military manners and the red-tape of official 
formality delighted Bayard’s soul, and he real- 
ized that West Point seemed more like home 
to him now than did the farm itself, and that 
these classmates were nearer and dearer than 
the boys he had known since childhood. How 
often during the summer he had longed for a 
glimpse of the parade ground with its fringe 
of giant elms, and how homesick it had made 
him to think of the fun in camp with Bobby 
Graham as first captain and old Bigby as adju- 
tant. 

Riggs ’ voice broke in upon his reverie : 

‘‘ How long did you visit Stirling at Fort 
Leavenworth, Chevalier? ” 

“ Just ten days. You see. Father was get- 


THE FURLOUGH CLASS RETURNS 5 


ting in his crops about that time and I felt that 
I onght to be at home to help/^ 

‘‘.You like what you saw of the army, I sup- 
pose? ’’ 

Bayard ^s eyes shone and his big hands 
clasped and unclasped nervously, but the two 
years at West Point had taught him repression, 
so all he said was : 

“ We had a fine time, Riggs. In fact I canT 
imagine a more interesting life.’^ 

“ It was an incentive to harder work than 
ever,’^ put in Raymond soberly. “ It gave one 
an entirely new viewpoint of the army and of 
what West Point stands for.” 

“ And weVe never had a tactical officer who 
made things so plain as Jack’s old friend. Ser- 
geant Donnelly,” offered Bayard. “ As for 
Major Stirling — well, to hear him talk you’d 
think there was no profession in the world 
which equalled that of serving one’s country 
in the army or the navy. ’ ’ 

“ In fact you might call the visit a sort of 
post-graduate course, Riggs, and, in addition, 
it was no end of fun. You and Gronna really 
missed it by not accepting Jack’s invitation.” 


6 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

As lie concluded, Marr pushed the stack of 
books to one side, and buttoned up his tight 
dress-coat. 

Riggs smiled reminiscently. 

‘‘ When Jack asked me to visit him I was 
having the time of my young life at Atlantic 
City, and knowing that I ’d probably see enough 
of Western posts in the future, I simply wired 
that I couldnT come. As for Gronna — ’’ 

Yes, we heard about Gronna,^’ Raymond 
returned somewhat shortly. 

Riggs looked surprised. 

‘‘ Did he tell you himself? 

<< Why, of course ! 

“ A bully thing for him to do, wasn’t it? ” 

‘‘ What? Throw away a chance like that for 
a yachting trip? ” Raymond’s scorn was evi- 
dent. 

‘ ‘ And with fellows he barely knew ! ’ ’ put in 
Bayard. 

A lot of young millionaires,” added Marr, 

without an interest in common.” 

Riggs laughed shortly. 

“ What made you think he was on a yachting 
trip? ” 


THE FURLOUGH CLASS RETURNS 7 


Because lie wrote Jack that he was with 
Van Ruypen for the summer and couldn^t get 
away ! ^ ^ asserted Raymond. 

Well,’^ returned Riggs, he was with Van 
Ruypen, hut it wasn’t Freddy Van Ruypen he 
meant, for while that gilded youth was cruising 
around in his diamond- studded yacht, Gronna 
was working hard in the old man’s brokerage 
office on Wall Street.” 

‘‘ You mean to say that Gronna spent his 
furlough working? ” cried three voices as one. 

‘‘ That’s just what he did,” grinned Riggs, 
and then in answer to the unspoken question 
in the eyes before him: ‘‘You remember, per- 
haps, that Gronna ’s small brother has suffered 
for years from a disease of the hip-joint? 
Well, some famous specialist came over from 
Germany this spring, and nothing would do 
but that he should see Gronna ’s brother. The 
family, as you know, are dead-poor, so old 
Gronna not only sent home all his furlough- 
money to engage the services of the great spe- 
cialist, but, in addition, he went into the Van 
Ruypen firm, where he happened to he known, 
and chained himself to a desk for the summer. ’ ’ 


8 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

Bayard drew a deep breath. 

And the little brother, Riggs! ’’ 

Doing splendidly, Gronna says. They 
think that in another month or six weeks he’ll 
be able to put his crutches aside.” 

‘‘ Isn’t that ripping! ” exulted Bayard. 

And what a bully thing for old Carrot-Top 
to do! ” 

‘‘ Yes, I can’t imagine a greater sacrifice 
than to give up furlough after two hard years 
at the Point,” declared Raymond. “ It’s like 
a dying soldier sharing his canteen on the bat- 
tlefield.” 

Bayard kindled at the thought. 

“ It just goes to show that a fellow doesn’t 
have to wait for a possible war to prove him- 
self worthy of his uniform. As Jack’s father 
said last summer, field-service merely gives one 
a chance to put into practice what he already 
knows of discipline and self-denial, and the sol- 
dier of to-day is pledged to a sort of world- 
service as well as field-service, a service that 
saves lives instead of destroying them. ’ ’ 

Old Sergeant Donnelly went a step fur- 
ther,” chuckled Raymond, and said that a 


THE FURLOUGH CLASS RETURNS 9 


soldier worthy of the name enlisted for peace 
and not for war.’^ 

For peace? ’’ interrupted Riggs incredu- 
lously. 

That^s what Donnelly said. He also in- 
sisted that the best use to make of a standing 
army is not to use it ! ” 

“ Oh, I see,” laughed Riggs. ‘‘ He evidently 
means that if the army is formidable enough in 
strength and numbers it wonT have to be used 
as a fighting machine.” 

‘‘ Something of the kind, I suppose.” 

Bayard leaned forward with an excited: 

‘‘ Donnelly also pointed out that while few 
of us will ever get a chance to die for our coun- 
try, we can all of us live for it, and that real 
patriotism is not an outlet for a love of adven- 
ture, nor a question of gay uniforms, flying 
flags, and stirring music.” 

In other words,” ventured Raymond, 
war for war’s sake is obsolete.” 

A thoughtful silence followed Raymond’s 
words, which Marr at last broke tentatively: 

You knew that Tom Winthrop was at Fort 
Leavenworth with us for a week or so, Riggs? ” 


10 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Dear old fellow! ’’ Riggs returned warmly. 

What a pity it is that he had to resign in 
plebe January, when he’d have been such a 
credit to the class.” 

“ It’s good he’s not lost to the army, though. 
Jack told you, didn’t he, that he’s studying 
medicine, and hopes to get into the service that 
way? ” 

Riggs nodded. 

He’s awfully keen on his work,” went on 
Marr. ‘‘ It seems that he got the notion while 
in the hospital last spring, and some one told 
Major Stirling that he gives promise of becom- 
ing a rattling good surgeon.” 

Riggs struck an attitude as he sang to an 
imaginary banjo : 

Then he cut off her arm, 

Much to her alarm, 

And gave her another of wood. 

And he said he should expect 
When he wished to dissect 
She would give him all the help she could! ” 

As he finished the door burst open to admit 
Jack Stirling, the new sergeant-major, and also 
the most popular man of the class. But, at that 


THE FURLOUGH CLASS RETURNS 11 


moment, Jack was so upset over tke bad mili- 
tary manners of some plebes just encountered 
in the area that he was less cheery than usual. 

Taking them as a whole they’re not as well 
braced as they ought to be,” Stirling had con- 
cluded, quite unaware that every returning fur- 
lough class thinks the same thing. 

Riggs sat up very straight. 

‘‘ The authorities are making it easier for 
plebes all the time. Jack. Now in our plebe 
camp we got a brace that will last us through 
our military careers.” 

Yes, and we trained our successors in the 
way they should go,” affirmed Raymond, 
‘‘ while some of these fair-haired boys are be- 
ginning to slop over already.” 

Involuntarily the five men threw back their 
shoulders, the mere memory of that plebe camp, 
now so far away, acting as a mental brace. 

^ ‘ I got a rise out of a fresh ‘ Sep ’ this morn- 
ing,” boasted Riggs. 

Stirling looked grave. 

You’d better let plebes alone, my friend! 
Especially those entering in September.” 

But they’re such a fresh lot! ” Riggs ex- 


12 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


cused himself. Why, this noon, when I saw 
a bunch of ’em waiting around the Mess Hall 
in their civilian clothes, I told Grronna, when 
ranks broke, that they were the grossest ‘ Seps ’ 
I ever saw. One in particular, dressed up to 
kill, would have been a temptation even to a 
first classman. He evidently hadn’t reported 
at the time, for he stood just inside the Mess 
Hall door, watching the men file by as if he 
were the Superintendent himself, and occasion- 
ally he’d wrinkle up his nose in a supercilious 
way which said as plainly as words that the 
Corps wasn’t quite up to the standard of the 
tin-soldier school he’d just left. 

‘‘ Naturally, in passing, I felt it my duty to 
take him down a bit, so I told him that I could 
see he was disappointed in the appearance of 
the Corps, and asked if he couldn’t suggest 
something to brace the men up. Of course 
I had to whisper it, for Lieutenant Griswold 
was only a step or so away. For a moment the 
youngster stared as if he hadn’t understood. 
Then he braced quite creditably, turned a lovely 
shade of terra-cotta, and said — what do you 
think? ” 


THE FURLOUGH CLASS RETURNS 13 


Kiggs ^ audience could not think. 

Well, if you’ll believe it, he intimated that 
it was none of my business, and he did it in 
the snappiest, shortest way you ever heard, 
much as if he’d been the second classman and 
I the plebe. Fortunately there was a block of 
some kind just ahead of us in the Mess Hall, 
so I was able to stand beside Mr. Plebe for 
several seconds, and you may be sure that I 
utilized the time to inquire his name, where he 
was from, and his former condition of servi- 
tude. ’ ’ 

Raymond, Bayard, and Marr, with uncom- 
fortable memories of their first few months at 
the Academy, were silent, but Stirling, perhaps 
from a sense of politeness, inquired the name of 
the ‘‘ Sep,” though stifling a yawn the while, 
for hazing as a joke had never been much in 
his line, and accounts of it bored him not a 
little. 

Riggs thrust a hand into the front of his coat 
and consulted a memorandum on which were 
the names of several Seps.” 

I shouldn’t wonder if it wasn’t Dodd’s 
brother,” hazarded Marr. 


14 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Riggs shook his head. 

Tommy Dodd^s all right, a great improve- 
ment on Sydney, but this chap’s awfully in need 
of discipline, and I’m going to sic Tim Croghan 
on to him. Why, incredible as it may seem, he 
wouldn’t even tell me his name at first, hut I 
intimated pretty strongly that it would be bet- 
ter for him if he obeyed orders at West Point, 
so after a moment he admitted that he was 
Thaddeus Jones of Oshkosh, and that, as I sur- 
mised, he had graduated at a military school on 
the Hudson not long ago.” 

Both Stirling and Raymond, seated side by 
side on the table, jumped to their feet in excite- 
ment. 

Thaddeus Jones!” echoed Jack incredu- 
lously. Are you sure that the first name was 
Thaddeus? ” 

But Raymond interrupted : 

Was he the little chap in the checked suit 
who stood at the left of the door as we went 
into the Mess Hall at noon! ” 

Riggs, well pleased with the effect of his tale, 
grinned an acquiescence. 

The one with the red tie and the tan 


THE FURLOUGH CLASS RETURNS 15 


gaiters and the brown derby? ’’ persisted 
Jack. 

Riggs acknowledged an acquaintance with 
each article of wearing apparel mentioned, 
whereupon Jack and Raymond stared at one 
another incredulously for a moment, and then 
fell back on the table in paroxysms of laugh- 
ter, rather to the astonishment of Bayard and 
Marr. But Riggs was in his element. 

^ ‘ To — to think of his tackling Thaddeus 
Jones! ” gasped Jack, wiping his eyes. 

^ ‘ How did he take it ? ’ ^ Raymond wanted to 
know, whereupon Riggs proceeded to tell afresh 
of his meeting with the gentleman from Osh- 
kosh, though it must be admitted that even 
according to Riggs’ version of the encounter, 
the little plebe had rather outwitted the second 
classman. 

And you told him to report to you in your 
room to-night? ” persisted Raymond at the 
close of the story. 

Jack doubled up anew, but managed to artic- 
ulate feebly : 

Did he say he would? ” 

Riggs looked a trifle chagrined. 


16 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Well, no, lie didn’t. As I said before, be 
was pretty obstreperous — pretty B. J. — and 
practically told me to mind my own business. 
Reckon he saw that the tactical officer was near 
enough to protect him. But I’m biding my 
time. If he doesn’t come to my room to-night 
before ^ call to quarters ’ he’ll learn what it 
means to disobey a superior. I’ll teach him a 
thing or two in that line or my name isn’t 
Riggs.” 

Jack, suddenly grave, looked his classmate 
full in the eyes. 

‘‘ Then your name isn’t Riggs,” he said very 
quietly, for I’d stake my cadetship that Thad- 
deus Jones will not obey your order.” 

Riggs jumped at the other’s changed tone. 

Why, what’s eating you, Jack Stirling? ” 
he demanded slangily. Then turning to Ray- 
mond, Bayard, and Marr, also very grave : 
‘‘ You don’t mean that you fellows stand for 
any such behavior on the part of a ‘ Sep? ’ ” 

Their silence drove the easily-excited Riggs 
to a frenzy. 

Well, of all things! I’d like to know what 
the Academy’s coming to if a strutting little 


THE FURLOUGH CLASS RETURNS 17 


turkey-cock like that doesn’t get his tail feath- 
ers pulled a mite. First thing you know he’ll 
think he owns the whole farmyard.” 

Maybe so, Riggs, but mark my words, you 
won’t haze him again! ” Jack’s voice was 
stern. 

No, sir,” added Raymond gravely, ‘‘ if I 
don’t miss my guess you’ll be knuckling down 
to Mr. Jones — I believe you said his name was 
Jones? — before the week’s out and treating 
him with every consideration.” 

Riggs stared at his cronies incredulously. 

You mean that it will come to a fight be- 
tween us, and that Tan Gaiters will do me up ? ” 

“ Not at all,” soothed Raymond in a most 
irritating way, Tan Gaiters wouldn’t fight 
you, Riggs, even if you challenged him, and — ’ ’ 

What’s more,” interrupted Jack, swallow- 
ing a grin, you wouldn’t dare challenge him, 
my boy ! ’’ 

Riggs, now as crimson as the much-discussed 
Mr. Jones’ tie, turned on Jack fiercely. 

‘ Dare ’ is a pretty strong word, Mr. Stir- 
ling. You’ll have to explain yourself, sir.” 
And then in answer to a half-suppressed snort 


18 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


from Jack: 111 have you understand that it’s 
no laughing matter, Mr. Stirling! ” 

As Riggs hissed out the words between his 
clenched teeth, Bayard and Marr stared un- 
easily at him, but Raymond, holding his sides 
which were fairly aching, managed to gasp : 

‘‘ As you say, Riggs, it’s not a laughing mat- 
ter. It’s a howling, yelling, side-splitting mat- 
ter, for your ‘ Sep ’ — ” he choked a bit on the 
word — why, your ‘ Sep ’ is a graduate of 
several years ago come back — ” again he 
choked — ‘‘ come back as a tactical officer! ” 



CHAPTER TWO 


APPLIED TACTICS 

Natueally Riggs’ encounter with Lieutenant 
Thaddeus Jones was the talk of the Corps for 
the next fortnight. Even the Seps ” heard 
of it, and they wondered among themselves if 
the new tactical officer would report Mr. Riggs, 
and, if so, what would happen to the popular 
second classman. 

Day after day when the cadet adjutant read 
out the delinquency list, Riggs, the intrepid, 
trembled in his regulation boots, and the Corps 
held its breath, awaiting the fatal order which 
should place him in arrest for attempted hazing, 
or insubordination, as the case might be. But 
the delinquency list, in so far as it mentioned 
Mr. Riggs at all, was limited to such indiscre- 
tions as a late ” at reveille by the fraction 
of a second, a wash bowl not properly inverted 
at inspection, or contraband articles in his 
room, all small offenses, to be sure, but offenses 
19 


20 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


calculated to follow Mr. Riggs and his kind not 
only up to graduation, but into the army itself, 
his very standing as an officer depending on 
errors and failures which dated back to his 
plehe camp at West Point. 

As happens each year the returning furlough- 
men knew that when the officer in charge handed 
the cadet adjutant the official orders at the 
after-dinner formation they were apt to hear 
things not altogether complimentary to them 
as a class, for it takes nearly a month for most 
men to recover from the effects of furlough and 
to become reconciled once more to West Point 
discipline. But days passed into weeks and 
weeks into months, and nothing more was heard 
of Riggs’ unfortunate encounter with Lieuten- 
ant Thaddeus Jones, save that Riggs himself 
thought he detected a quickly-suppressed twin- 
kle in the lieutenant’s eyes whenever they met 
unofficially thereafter. 

‘‘ He could afford to be lenient,” said the 
wiseacres of the Corps, ‘‘ because he was not 
on duty at the time — not even in uniform; ” 
and evidently Lieutenant Thaddeus Jones took 
the same view of the affair, though he proved 


APPLIED TACTICS 


21 


from the very beginning to be anything but 
lenient in all matters pertaining to bis official 
position, and at his first Sunday morning in- 
spection great was the carnage over screwbeads 
and bolts, no cadet having a gun with rust or 
dust in those places ever passing muster with 
Lieutenant Jones, who from that hour lost his 
first sobriquet of Sep,’^ to be called Little 
Bright Eyes ’’ by the Corps. 

If he hadn’t been a new ‘ tac ’ he wouldn’t 
have ‘ hived ’ anybody,” growled Gronna on the 
Saturday night following that memorable Sun- 
day. After this, when he’s on duty, the com- 
pany will look carefully to bolts and screws, 
just as it takes special thought for rifling when 
Lieutenant Griswold’s in charge. Why, I even 
police my room differently for each officer. 
Old Grizzly, for example, always rubs his white 
gloves over the mantel; Adonis only looks to 
see that my wash basin is inverted and my shoes 
are properly aligned; while Billy the Sleuth 
has the keenest nose for smoke of any of them, 
and ‘ hives ’ a grease spot no bigger than a pin- 
head on the floor.” 

With the exception of Adonis, our tactical 


22 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


officers never hesitate to report a fellow ! ^ ’ 
laughed Riggs. 

‘‘I should think they didnT.’’ It was Ray- 
mond of Missouri, better known as Mizzoo,’’ 
who spoke. ‘‘ And sometimes I wonder if 
‘ tacs ^ don’t hate to report us almost as much 
as we hate to report each other. ’ ’ 

Gronna looked up from the gun he was clean- 
ing. 

How little you understand ‘ tacs,’ Miz- 
zoo ! ’ ’ And then more seriously : ‘ ‘ But, tell 
me, do you dislike turning in reports as much 
as ever, old man? ” 

Well, it does go against the grain more 
than one would think to put in ‘ skins ’ against 
old and tried friends.” 

But you can’t brace a man up any other 
way,” remarked Stirling quietly, “ and to avoid 
reporting a friend would be — ” 

Unthinkable ! ” finished Raymond. 

‘‘ Oh, it goes without saying that a cadet 
officer is pledged to do his duty, no matter what 
the consequences may be, but, personally, I’m 
glad that I don’t wear chevrons, for I’d hate 
awfully to have to turn state’s evidence against 


APPLIED TACTICS 


23 


any one, especially old B. J.,’^ and Gronna gave 
his room-mate an affectionate punch with the 
butt of the rifle, to which Biggs responded in 
kind, at the same time remarking: 

Well, you needn’t lie awake nights worry- 
ing about reporting me, Carrot-Top, for it’s 
brass buttons to hooks and eyes that you’ll 
never he in a position to do so. Neither will 
your duties at battalion drill become more 
numerous and intricate than they are at pres- 
ent. Which reminds me that we haven’t had 
one drill spoiled by rain since our return from 
furlough! ” Biggs frowned his indignation. 

^ ‘ And nothing at the Academy is so provoca- 
tive of reports ! ’ ’ sighed Baymond. 

‘‘ Especially with Little Bright Eyes in 
charge.” 

Yes, he’s harder on the Corps at drill than 
are all the other ^ tacs ’ put together, ’ ’ affirmed 
Doolittle, who had just entered, forgetting that 
a cadet’s opinion of a tactical officer is apt to 
he based on the number of place rests ” he 
gives. 

Well, he’s a soldierly little file, that same 
Bright Eyes!” Biggs’ tone was judicial. 


24 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


And he doesnT care a hang whether or not 
he’s popular with the Corps.” 

‘ ‘ I loathe a ‘ tac ’ who bootlicks ! ’ ’ 

Like Adonis? ” 

Yes, I’ve got lots more respect for Billy 
the Sleuth, even though he does invade the 
sacred precincts of the clothes-bag for contra- 
band articles.” 

And use a mirror to look up the chimney 
for boodle ! ” 

Did the Sleuth actually do that, Riggs? 
How awfully low down ! ’ ’ 

‘‘ No, it was high up, Doolittle. He’d never 
have found it without the mirror.” 

Do you suppose the ‘ tacs ’ turn over the 
stutf they ‘ hive ’ to the Officers’ Mess? ” 
Gronna laughed. 

Perhaps finding’s keeping, as we boys used 
to say.” 

If I remember rightly, Billy the Sleuth was 
laid up in the hospital with a bilious attack 
about the time he raked in that boodle from our 
chimney, ’ ’ gloated Riggs. 

‘‘ But that’s only circumstantial evidence,” 
pleaded Bayard in defense of the absent, and 


APPLIED TACTICS 


25 


so seriously that every one shouted with laugh- 
ter, till Bayard, not at all sure what the joke 
was about, laughed as heartily as the rest. 

Of the class-room instructors. Lieutenant Fin- 
ney in Mechanics and Lieutenant Mendell in 
Chemistry were perhaps the most popular with 
the returned furloughmen, the one because he 
was so easily hoodwinked in the section-room, 
and the other, strangely enough, because he 
could not be imposed upon, even by Eiggs, who 
was an adept in the art. 

I say, Eiggs, Luke Bradford broke out 
one Saturday afternoon, turning from the bul- 
letin board where, like Abou ben Adhem, Eiggs ^ 
name led all the rest of his section, I say, 
old man, you^re doing wonderfully well in Me- 
chanics. ’ ’ 

Spare my blushes, Luke.’^ 

But how do you manage it, B. 3 A You 
donT seem to study any harder than usual.’’ 

Eiggs winked openly at Gronna, who was 
standing near by. 

Is it fool luck? ” persisted Bradford. Or 
have you learned to work old Finney? ” 

Eiggs sighed. 


26 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


You put things so baldly, my dear fellow. 
In tactics we don’t call outwitting the enemy, 
working him, do we? ” 

Bradford’s eyes fairly snapped. 

Then you are working — er, I should say, 
outwitting — the instructor, Eiggs ? I ’ve heard 
old Finney was easy, but how on earth do you 
manage it? And is it quite straight, do you 
think? ” 

Straight? ” Eiggs looked injured. 

Oh, I know it’s not like writing formulas 
out on one’s cuff, but still you do get marked 
higher than you deserve! ” 

Well, if Lieutenant Finney persists in call- 
ing me up on stuff I know, it’s not my fault, is 
it? And didn’t I hear you only yesterday morn- 
ing keeping our ‘ Chem ’ instructor busy an- 
swering questions so that he wouldn’t have as 
much time to quiz you? 

Bradford grinned guiltily. 

And haven’t you day after day encouraged 
a guileless instructor in free-hand drawing to 
help finish up a sketch by simulating an ab- 
sorbed interest in what he was showing you 
about form and color? Yes? I thought as 


APPLIED TACTICS 


27 


much, for like most of the class you’re artistic 
only with ruler and compass. Now, in the same 
way, I get as good a mark as I can in Mechanics, 
for considering that it takes several hours a day 
merely to read over the lesson and work out 
the mathematical reasoning, which the book as- 
serts ‘ plainly follows,’ those wonderful compu- 
tations that all the astronomers and mathema- 
ticians have studied and worked over since the 
earliest ages, why, it’s up to me, I believe, to 
put what I know of tactics to good use and force 
my instructor to call me up on the part of the 
lesson I know best.” 

“ But how do you manage it, B. J.? ” 

Merely by looking interested and alert 
when the subject happens to be something on 
which I’m not prepared.” 

Not prepared? You mean just the oppo- 
site, don’t you, old man? ” 

No, I mean just what I say.” 

Bradford was mystified. 

Is that all you do, Eiggs? ” 

‘‘ Yes, except to manifest uneasiness at the 
approach of the part I really know.” 

I begin to see where your tactics come in. 


28 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


B. J. And youVe really worked the instructor 
on so simple a thing as that? ’’ 

Well, I Ve passed through several weeks of 
phenomenal records,’^ returned Mr. Riggs with 
an assumption of modesty becoming in one who 
for over a month had been called up on ques- 
tions he could answer and sent to the board to 
demonstrate problems with which he was thor- 
oughly conversant. 

But on the following Monday Riggs’ luck 
changed. It may be that the hitherto guileless 
Lieutenant Finney began to suspect Mr. Riggs, 
or, again, it may have been sheer altruism which 
moved him on that particular morning to notice 
his bright pupil fairly sitting on the edge of 
the bench in his anxiety to be called upon to 
demonstrate something in the lesson that he had 
not so much as looked at. 

However it was, Riggs found himself, still 
very alert outwardly, though with inward 
qualms that threatened to burst the tight gray 
coat asunder, standing in front of the board 
and writing his name in microscopic letters, 
Theodore Roylston Riggs, and underneath it in 
still smaller script: 


APPLIED TACTICS 


29 


1 am required to prove that the angular 
velocity of a body is constant about the invari- 
able axis onlyJ^ 

Then he stopped, dusted his fingers carefully, 
and picked up a freshly-sharpened piece of 
chalk. Out of the tail of his left eye he saw 
the near-sighted instructor watching him with 
what seemed a malevolent expression, where- 
upon Eiggs, indignant that he should have been 
suspected of something that he was really 
trying to do, got down to work in good ear- 
nest. 

E'ot having the faintest idea about the con- 
stancy of the component angular velocity, Mr. 
Eiggs proceeded to write in his small, illegible 
hand some nonsense rhymes he had added to 

Benny Havens, Oh,’’ the week before, and 
which all the Corps were singing, absurd verses 
in which the various instructors and tactical 
officers were summarily dealt with, this partic- 
ular instructor coming in for a full share of the 
metrical abuse. 

Alden Boyd, standing on Eiggs’ left, recog- 
nized a word or two even in the small, illegible 
writing, and as he looked he choked, sputtered. 


30 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


and choked again, finally having to leave the 
room in a violent paroxysm of coughing, ren- 
dered even more severe by the innocent look 
of commiseration thrown his way by the grace- 
less Riggs. 

And still Riggs wrote and figured and figured 
and wrote as one inspired, if the audacious new 
verses he evolved about the instructor behind 
him could be called an inspiration. On every 
side men had recited and returned to their seats, 
some few conquerors but more conquered. 
Boyd, still tearful around the eyes and very red 
as to complexion, was again at work beside him, 
but Riggs, apparently unmindful of everything 
but his own problem, made the chalk fly. 

Would that bugle never blow! 

Riggs squared his shoulders, rubbed out a 
word and replaced it with one even more scur- 
rilous, then stood for a moment with his head 
to one side contemplating the board reflectively. 
He felt, rather than heard, the instructor’s 
tight coat creaking behind him. In another 
moment his name would be called. Riggs 
reached for the eraser and after a brief instant 
of hesitation he rubbed out half of a new verse. 


APPLIED TACTICS 


31 


and set to work rewriting it even more labori- 
ously than before. 

The instructor’s coat ceased to creak in 
Riggs’ direction. For the time at least he was 
safe. Five minutes passed. The instructor 
stirred in his chair. Riggs gripped the chalk 
as if it had been a stiletto. 

‘ ‘ Mr. — er — er — ” hesitated the instructor, 
creaking still more ominously. 

Down came the chalk on the board, and for 
a few seconds Riggs wrote like mad, then drew 
a long breath of relief as the instructor finished 
speaking : 

^ ‘ Mr. — er — Brackett, ’ ’ he had said, ^ ‘ you 
may recite now.” 

With a return of his old confident manner 
Riggs put down the chalk, blew the dust otf his 
finger-tips, and faced around, pointer in hand, 
for Brackett was infallible. In three minutes 
now the bugle must blow, and it would take old 
Brackett all of that time to finish his recitation, 
for Brackett was deliberate, slow but sure, as 
Riggs complacently thought. But at that very 
instant Brackett faltered, hesitated, stam- 
mered — 


32 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Yes, the unforeseen had happened. The in- 
fallible Brackett had failed. Riggs felt both 
hot and cold at the same time. Why, oh, why 
had he turned away from the friendly shelter 
of the blackboard? Sylvester over there hadn’t 
recited yet, and he could easily have saved him- 
self, if only he hadn’t been so sure of his own 
luck and Brackett’s infallibility. 

The instructor turned towards Riggs, and the 
boy from sheer force of habit met the look with 
one of pleased expectancy. Lieutenant Finney 
started to speak, hesitated a moment, and 
looked beyond Rig^s to Sylvester. 

Riggs’ eyes miserably followed those of the 
instructor, and to his great surprise he noted 
that Sylvester was visibly nervous — Sylvester, 
the comma-finder — Sylvester, who was even 
more infallible than Brackett himself. 

Lieutenant Finney would have time before 
the bugle sounded to hang, draw, and quarter 
them both. He smiled gloatingly. 

‘ ‘ Mr. Sylvester ! ’ ’ 

Sylvester straightened himself stiffly, cleared 
his throat, hesitated, let the pointer drop, picked 
it up, with an embarrassed flush, and then — 


APPLIED TACTICS 


33 


began to recite rapidly, smoothly, and with the 
finished ease of one sure of his subject. As he 
rounded his last period the bugle sounded, and 
Riggs had the audacity to turn a disappointed 
look towards the board with its illegible non- 
sense. 

But a curious gleam in the instructor’s eye 
as he dismissed the section, made the wily Riggs 
‘ ‘ bone ’ ’ hard for the period of a whole month. 
Moreover the tactics ” instituted by that 
young gentleman, and adopted by several of 
his friends, were dropped from that day on, 
though the dignified Sylvester’s masterly use 
of the same to help out a comrade in trouble 
made good telling for weeks to come, and added 
not a little to the popularity of the comma- 
finder of the class. 



r 


CHAPTEE THEEE 


THE BOOTLICK 

Now, it must be confessed that in the eyes 
of the cadets the Academic Board counted for 
very little, from a military standpoint, in those 
old days, for even professors with a fine war 
record behind them could not live down the 
dreadful fact that in the event of another war 
they might not participate; and unless an in- 
structor could show some field-service to his 
credit he came in for little more glory, save that 
by being on the active list there was always 
potential heroism in store for him. 

But with the Tactical Department it was dif- 
ferent. At that time it boasted two Indian 
fighters among its younger officers, while both 
the Commandant and Superintendent were men 
who had seen service, not only on the frontier, 
but in the Civil War; and though the Com- 
mandant gave no outward and visible sign of 
his eligibility for heroism, the Superintendent 
limped slightly as he walked, a livid sabre-cut 

34 


THE BOOTLICK 


35 


across one cheek adding somewhat to his al- 
ready ferocious appearance, for the colonel was 
tall and straight enough to look the part of a 
soldier to perfection, despite his great ema- 
ciation. 

This really extreme thinness had given him 
the sobriquet of Simeon Shadow among the 
cadets, that half-faced fellow,’’ of whom Sir 
John Falstatf said that a foeman might as well 
level his gun at the edge of a penknife, and 
Jack Stirling, on first seeing the man, remem- 
bered having heard of him through Sergeant 
Donnelly, for the old soldier had often laugh- 
ingly remarked that he couldn’t see how the 
enemy had managed to make a flesh wound in 
a mere skeleton. 

Sure, he must have bin a sharp-shooter, 
that feller, and no mistake, for the colonel, he’s 
made up of grit and stamina, ’stead of meat and 
bones like other humans! ” In proof of which 
Donnelly further insisted that when the colonel 
had been cut across his face with a sabre at 
Antietam the cut had not bled. 

In like manner as Superintendent of the Mili- 
tary Academy, he was half -hero and half -ogre 


36 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


to tlie cadets, who, while they idealized his 
heroic past, never realized the man himself, nor 
understood that much of his curtness of speech, 
his irritability of manner, and the habit he had 
of drawing in his thin lips till his mouth looked 
like another sabre-cut, came from an habitual 
repression on his part, an agonized resolve not 
to give way to the pain of an old wound long 
beyond the skill of surgeons. 

How little people knew when they saw the 
tall figure carried so gallantly that every step 
was a torture, every breath an agony. Nor was 
any one aware when the lights in the Superin- 
tendent’s quarters burned on night after night, 
until dimmed by the morning sun, that he was 
wrestling with that old, old pain, fighting it 
down manfully, as if it had been a sentient 
thing, and forcing back a coward longing to 
drown it all in drink or dull it with some power- 
ful narcotic. Sometimes far back in the rather 
small, expressionless eyes a sudden unexpected 
appeal to human sympathy would flash out, but 
almost on the instant the look would disappear, 
and the cynical mouth with its thin, colorless 
lips, the contracted nostrils of the high-arched 


I 


THE BOOTLICK 


37 


nose, and the stubborn set of the jaw convinced 
one that the signal bad been of defiance rather 
than appeal. 

In contradistinction to the Superintendent, 
the Commandant was a most kindly little man, 
fat and rather pompous, but so fatherly towards 
the whole Corps that even his military salute 
was tempered by a chronic expression of friend- 
liness and a tentative smile that seemed ever 
ready to break into a word of welcome. Also 
he was obsessed with the idea that he had a 
memory which instantly differentiated each and 
every one of the gray lambs in his fold, a mani- 
fest impossibility as cadets of the same size in 
uniform are so alike in appearance that it is 
a wonder sometimes they can tell each other 
apart. 

Little Riggs even insisted that the Command- 
ant had once mistaken him for big Bartholomew 
Bayard, and had buttonholed him for a quarter 
of an hour to discuss the state of crops in Ken- 
tucky, but as Riggs was given to embroidering 
plain facts with an intricate fancy design of 
his own, and with no intention to deceive, he was 
not taken very seriously. 


38 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


It was well known, however, thronghont the 
Corps that many a cadet had allowed the Com- 
mandant to talk to him, under the misapprehen- 
sion that he was somebody else of the same size 
and general appearance, rather than mortify 
the kindly little gentleman by letting him know 
his mistake, for it is always easier to bear one’s 
own embarrassment in such a predicament than 
to witness that of the person who has made the 
blunder. And so it was the Commandant grew 
to think that he knew the whole Corps by name, 
this all-pervasive friendliness making him the 
most popular officer on the post; though, in- 
deed, he might have been that anyway by reason 
of the tale of heroism which preceded him to 
West Point, a tale that grew with the telling till 
the Commandant himself would not have recog- 
nized it as his own experience had he happened 
to hear it related. 

Among the tactical officers, Little Bright 
Eyes ” was very popular with the Corps, al- 
though Lieutenant Griswold — the Old Griz- 
zly ” of plebe camp — still remained the favor- 
ite, and this notwithstanding his gruff ways, 
and harsh, rasping voice ; while handsome 


THE BOOTLICK 


39 


Adonis ’’ Ward, who openly boned pop- 
ularity, was scorned by the entire battalion, 
even Lieutenant Truitt, better known as The 
Sleuth,’’ who hunted contraband articles in 
places oft limits for a tac,” not coming in 
for such wrath as was meted out to the man 
who did not do his full duty in the matter of 
reporting small oifenses. 

‘‘It’s a shame to have such a man in the 
Tactical Department,” Riggs had vociferated 
one rainy Saturday afternoon in Stirling’s 
room. “ He’s a regular bootlick.” 

“ I never heard of a ‘ tac ’ so afraid to 
report a fellow! ” It was Bradford who 
spoke. 

“ He must wear mental blinders to avoid 
seeing things,” laughed Doolittle. “I all but 
ran into him last night with a sack of boodle 
I was dragging back to barracks, but he didn’t 
‘ hive ’ me. Now, if it had been any other 
‘ tac’—” 

“ You’d have been at home to your friends 
on Saturday afternoons for the rest of the sea- 
son,” mocked Gronna. 

“ But it goes without saying that Adonis 


40 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


didn’t see yon, Doolittle. He’s awfully absent- 
minded, I’ll admit, perhaps even careless, but 
he’s not so dishonest as to bootlick.” 

Oh, come now. Jack,” remonstrated Riggs, 
you can’t make us believe that he’s another 
Napoleon or Cromwell.” 

^ A Cromwell guiltless of his country’s 
blood,’ perhaps,” sneered Bradford. 

Riggs laughed appreciatively. 

So you’ve heard, too, Bradford, that he’s 
entirely innocent of field service 1 ’ ’ 

Bayard looked up quickly. 

Why, there aren’t any troops in the field 
now, Riggs ! ’ ’ 

No, Chevalier, but Adonis didn’t rejoin his 
regiment when it went out after Rain-in-the- 
Face ten years ago. The regiment was in the 
field for months, but Adonis made no etfort to 
leave Washington, where he was on detached 
service.” 

You don’t know whether he tried to get 
away or not, Riggs ! ’ ’ Stirling spoke rather 
sharply. 

‘‘You mean that he could have been held in 
Washington against his will? ” 


THE BOOTLICK 


41 


Not at all. I only mean that none of ns 
know what kept him there. 

It might have been a very good reason/’ 
hazarded Bayard. 

‘‘ But it couldn’t have been a good reason,” 
snapped Riggs, and I think it’s a shame that 
they should have selected such a man for duty 
at West Point, where we need officers of unques- 
tioned courage and of fine military records.” 

Jack’s face was very grave. 

‘‘ I agree with what you say, Riggs. In a 
cadet’s education the influence of such men as 
Jones, Truitt, or Griswold is far-reaching, and, 
personally, I know that I’m a better chap for 
having served under them, but — ’ ’ 

‘‘ Jack means that we’ve no right to sentence 
Adonis without a properly-conducted court- 
martial, ’ ’ interrupted Raymond, ‘ ‘ and it stands 
to reason that if he didn’t have a clean record 
he wouldn’t have been selected for duty at West 
Point. ’ ’ 

But if he’s not guilty, what’s he so scared 
about? ” persisted Riggs. Why is he always 
hiding behind that imbecile smile ? Why doesn’t 
he come out like a man and report a fellow 


42 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


instead of questioning him about it first, and 
practically making him admit his guilt? I tell 
you he’s got a bad conscience, and he’s boot- 
licking to make up for his record, or rather his 
lack of it.” 

But Little Bright Eyes hasn’t had any field 
service either, Riggs.” 

Oh, that’s different. He hasn’t been out of 
the Academy long enough. And then, too, he 
risked his life once in a Montana blizzard to 
rescue a party of soldiers at an outpost.” 

How did you hear about it, B. J.l ” 

My brother’s in the same regiment, you 
know. ’ ’ 

Do you remember any of the details? ” 

Well, Jim didn’t go much into details. He 
just wrote that the blizzard was so bad when 
Jones went out after the men that he wouldn’t 
order any of the troop to go with him; but a 
few volunteered, of course, and between them, 
by the aid of some clothes-line from the com- 
missary, they managed to get the men back to 
barracks. ’ ’ 

Wasn’t that splendid? ” cried Raymond. 

Almost as good as field service, Mizzoo! ” 


THE BOOTLICK 


43 


Exactly as good, B. J., and I think that Lit- 
tle Bright Eyes should have a medal for bra- 
very. They’d have given it to him if he’d res- 
cued a soldier on the battle-field.” 

Then there ’d be four medals of honor 
in the Tactical Department,” boasted Gronna, 
^ ‘ for the ‘ Supe ’ and the ‘ Com ’ and Old Griz- 
zly each have one, you know. ’ ’ 

“ Yes, and in addition the ‘ Supe ’ was bre- 
vetted for gallant and meritorious service at 
Antietam,” gloried Jack. 

“ They do say, too, that Billy the Sleuth had 
a fine record in the last Sioux campaign. ’ ’ 

As good as Old Grizzly’s, B. J.? ” 

I can’t answer for that, but it was a very 
good one.” 

‘‘ Good enough to get him detailed at West 
Point as a tactical officer,” reminded Gronna. 

Which brings us back to our ladylike 
friend, Adonis! ” jeered Biggs. 

‘ ‘ Coif ee-cooler ! ’ ’ muttered some one. 

‘ ‘ Feather-bed soldier — ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Sneak — ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Coward — ’ ’ 

The Big Four looked at one another as if 


44 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


dazed by these comments. At last Jack 
spoke : 

Once, when I was quite a little chap, an 
officer in my father’s regiment was criticized 
as a coffee-cooler and a feather-bed soldier be- 
cause he had been away from the regiment for 
years. But when I heard the real reason for his 
long absence I was sorry that I had ever mis- 
judged him.” 

‘‘ He wasn’t away during a campaign, I’d 
venture? ” 

Yes, B. J.” 

Well, there’s no possible excuse for that.” 

^ ^ Not if a man were too badly wounded from 
a previous campaign to engage in active serv- 
ice? ” 

Oh, but that’s different. Adonis was just 
out of the Academy. There was no reason in 
the world he shouldn’t have joined his regi- 
ment. ’ ’ 

That’s what we garrison boys thought 
about Dandy Jim until we learned the truth. ’ ’ 

Dandy Jim? ” interrupted Raymond 
quickly. Why, that’s what they called Major 
Lewis at Fort Leavenworth last summer. ’ ’ 


THE BOOTLICK 


45 


“ Then he’s the man that Sergeant Donnelly 
told us about,” cried Bayard, the man who 
did all those brave things in the Sioux campaign 
the year you were born. Jack! ” 

Yes, he’s the man,” returned Stirling 
quietly. 

Eiggs sniffed. 

Well, if you ever find that Adonis is a hero 
in disguise. Jack, let me know. Until then I 
shall continue to believe that he’s not fit for 
service at West Point, especially in the Tactical 
Department. ’ ’ 



CHAPTER FOUR 


THE BATTALION SHOWS ITS DISPLEASURE 

Lieutenant Ward knew that he was unpop- 
ular with the cadets. He could not conceal it 
from himself, and as an old cadet he was even 
more sensitive to their criticisms than would 
have been an entire stranger to the Academy. 
It is bad for a tactical officer to know that he 
is disliked by the Corps, almost as bad as to 
know that he is idolized by it, and in his year 
and a half at the Academy Lieutenant Ward 
had begun to lose all sense of proportion. He 
kept thinking about his unpopularity, — yes, 
and worrying overdt, too, — until he imagined 
slights where there were none intended, and 
really neglected his duty at times, not to 
‘ ‘ bone ’ ’ popularity, as Riggs and his followers 
supposed, but for fear of doing his persecutors 
an injustice, or of using his position to get even 
with them. And then, too, — 

But always at this point in his reflections, 
46 


THE BATTALION’S DISPLEASURE 47 


the young officer would forget his present 
trouble for that old, old one, so far away in 
point of time, but ever-present in consciousness, 
a trouble that had deepened the lines on his 
handsome face and put a sprinkle of gray in 
his hair. 

He was thinking of it now as he stood at the 
door of the Mess Hall, gazing abstractedly out 
into the gathering darkness of the warm Sep- 
tember night. Behind him the battalion was at 
supper, and the clatter of dishes, and the laugh- 
ter and talk of the cadets were a running ac- 
companiment to his thoughts. That they were 
unpleasant thoughts could be seen from his face, 
for the perpetual half-smile, which the Corps 
as a whole found so detestable, had faded out, 
and he looked older than usual and rather care- 
worn. 

Riggs, watching him in profile from a table 
near the door, noticed this phenomenon and 
called Gronna’s attention to it. In another mo- 
ment several at the table were discussing 
Adonis. 

He looks like a man who’s just heard bad 
news,” commented Doolittle. 


48 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Or rather a masquerader unconscious that 
his disguise has slipped aside.’’ 

You mean, Boyd, that a smiling face has 
heretofore hidden a frowning providence,” par- 
odied Riggs lightly. 

Bradford squared himself in his seat after 
turning around for a prolonged look at the 
unconscious Adonis. 

What’s the man afraid of, anyway? ” he 
demanded. ‘‘ Why does he always smile with 
his lips and — ’ ’ 

‘‘ Moan with his eyes? ” interpolated 
Gronna. 

And, what is more to the point, why is he 
so averse to putting in a ‘ skin ’ against a fel- 
low? ” asked Brackett. Why, he positively 
makes you admit that you’re guilty before he’ll 
report you, and that’s no way for a ^ tac ’ to 
discipline cadets.” 

Gronna laughed shortly. 

It’s a way for a ‘ tac ’ to bone popularity, 
however! ” 

“ But it hasn’t won him popularity,” ob- 
served Bradford. 

No, and it never will at West Point. As 


THE BATTALION’S DISPLEASURE 49 


an old graduate he ought to have known 
it.” 

He’s so cringing in his demeanor always, 
so apologetic, so — so abject that it makes me 
ill,” a first classman volunteered, ‘‘ and I pro- 
pose to find out what he’s trying to conceal once 
I get into the service. ’ ’ 

Riggs helped himself to a liberal supply of 
bread and molasses. Then he spoke : 

^ ^ I know what he ’s trying to hide. ’ ’ 

The others exchanged startled glances. 

You do, Riggs ! ” 

How did you find out? ” 

‘ ^ Come, let ’s hear what you know ! ’ ’ 

Riggs tried to look unconcerned. 

A week or so ago Stirling said something 
about our misjudging Adonis. It set me to 
thinldng, and I wrote to a fellow whose father 
was in Washington at the time of the Rain-in- 
the-Face campaign.” 

Even Gronna looked surprised. 

‘‘ Did Adonis have a good excuse for not 
going, B. J. f ” 

He couldn’t have had a good excuse,” re- 
torted Riggs. 


50 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


‘‘ But Jack said that we had no right to form 
an opinion without knowing the circumstances, ’ ’ 
Doolittle pleaded. 

“ That Major Lewis of his father’s regiment 
had been misjudged on the same grounds — ” 
And that Adonis might have been kept 
away from the campaign very much against his 
own wishes.” In their eagerness Bradford and 
Boyd almost telescoped each other’s words. 

Riggs smiled a trifle maliciously. 

” Well, Jack was right, fellows. It wasn’t 
Adonis’ fault that he was away. from his regi- 
ment at the time. ’ ’ 

Gronna looked mystified. 

‘‘You mean that he was held in Washington 
against his will, B. J.? ” 

“ But what kept him there? ” the first class- 
man wanted to know. 

Riggs surveyed his audience with the eye of 
an orator sure of scoring his point. 

“ He was kept in Washington because he was 
undergoing a court-martial at the time.” 

‘ ‘ A court-martial, Riggs ? ’ ’ 

“ Yes.” 


” And the charges? ” 


THE BATTALION’S DISPLEASURE 51 


Again Riggs smiled and very distinctly said : 

^ ‘ He was charged with attempting to defraud 
the government while on recruiting duty. ’ ’ 

You mean that he accepted men unfitted in 
some way for service? 

I mean that he misappropriated public 
funds.’’ 

But how could he do that, Riggs? ” The 
first classman’s voice rose unnaturally. 

Don’t recruiting officers pay all expenses in- 
cident to their duties by government checks? ” 
Well, the charges were that some one 
forged a check in Adonis’ name, and that after- 
wards Adonis and the man who cashed the check 
divided the money between themselves.” 

But he was cleared? Of course he was 
cleared? ” pleaded Doolittle. 

Naturally, or he wouldn’t be in the service 
now, much less at West Point in the Tactical 
Department,” returned Riggs, dipping a piece 
of bread into the molasses on his plate. 

‘'But how was he cleared — ” de- 
manded the first classman. 

“ On a legal technicality only,” jerked Riggs, 
“ which, of course, leaves the ethical side of 


52 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


the question just where it was in the begin- 
ning. ’ ’ 

I always knew that he was a sneak and a 
coward/^ snarled the first classman, ‘‘ but a 
thief ! ’ ’ 

Well, I don’t know that it’s any worse to 
be a thief than a coward, ’ ’ ^bed Riggs. 

As he spoke. Lieutenant Ward turned from 
the doorway and began his final rounds of the 
Mess Hall. Kind-hearted Doolittle, fearful that 
Riggs would be overheard, nudged him to lower 
his voice. Riggs stopped talking at once and 
all of his friends followed suit. Then the next 
table, a particularly uproarious one, paused to 
see what the sudden quiet at Riggs ’ table meant. 
And so the deathlike hush spread. Just as a 
noise will grow and a whole crowd of people 
become suddenly hilarious, so the shrill babble 
of voices in the Mess Hall dropped to a murmur, 
and the murmur was succeeded by a profound 
stillness in which the Corps seemed to be hold- 
ing its breath. 

It happened without the collusion of any two 
men in the room. First one table and then an- 
other stopped talking. Some yearling’s high- 


THE BATTALION’S DISPLEASURE 53 


pitched, teasing laughter was choked off sud- 
denly as if by physical force. Another man 
reiterated a statement that he had made a mo- 
ment before and found to his horror that he was 
apparently shouting it at the top of his lungs. 
Still another man, humming a snatch of song 
from the recent Color Line Entertainment, be- 
came suddenly aware that he was making a 
spectacle of himself. 

It was a Silence,’’ the first one ever given 
an officer at West Point; for, in those days, 
cadets refrained from talking in the Mess Hall 
as a joke only when they wanted to annoy newly- 
appointed first class officers^ especially those in- 
clined to stage-fright ; but to use the Silence,” 
even as a joke, on a member of the Tactical 
Department was unprecedented, and that it had 
cut deep was evidenced by the lieutenant’s 
waning color, though his lips still curved in that 
exasperating half-smile. 

At Jack Stirling’s table there had been an 
effort to stem, as it were, the ‘‘ Silence,” to talk 
in spite of it; but mesmerically the power of 
speech seemed to leave those making the effort, 
and Jack, his eyes on the tactical officer’s 


54 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


stricken face, felt that he was watching a 
wounded animal at bay. 

It was not a case where humor would have 
saved the situation. It was not a case even for 
discipline, as up to that time the Corps had not 
made a practice of showing its displeasure by 
such means, so poor Adonis could only appear 
not to notice the obvious quiet as he continued 
his slow walk around the room. 

But that evening, closeted with Lieutenant 
Griswold, he unburdened his heart. 

You should have called the first captain, 
Ward, and had ’em marched back to barracks.” 

‘ ‘ But for what reason? Technically they had 
done nothing. ’ ’ 

Nothing! It was rank insubordination.” 

‘ ‘ But absolutely unpremeditated. ’ ’ 

‘‘ How do you know it was unpremeditated? ” 
“ By the hysterical way it spread. One or 
two men actually tried to talk — young Stirling 
among others — but the mental suggestion was 
too strong. The very sound of his own voice 
frightened a man in that awful stillness.” 

Lieutenant Griswold pulled at his long mous- 
tache. 


THE BATTALION’S DISPLEASURE 55 


If it ever happens again — ” 

Oh, I’d know what to do a second time,” 
but Ward shrank into himself as he spoke, and 
Griswold hastened to add: 

Now, don’t think for a moment there was 
anything personal in that ‘ Silence,’ Ward. If 
any other tactical officer had been in your place 
to-day he would have fared as ill. ’ ’ 

But Ward shook his head. 

It’s that old, old scandal cropping up again, 
I’m afraid. It’s hard to live down.” 

‘‘ But you were cleared at the court-martial, 
weren’t you? ” 

“ On a technicality only. In the eyes of my 
own regiment I’m a — ” he hesitated for a 
word — ‘‘a criminal who has evaded the 
law.” 

And that’s why you’ve never rejoined your 
regiment? ” 

‘‘ How could I after having missed the Rain- 
in-the-Face campaign? And for such a rea- 
son! ” 

Lieutenant Griswold drew his brows together 
in a puzzled frown. 

‘‘ But, Ward, if your record’s as bad as you 


56 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


think it is, how did you get to West Point as 
a tactical officer? They go through a man’s 
past with a fine-tooth comb before detailing him 
here, you know. ’ ’ 

‘‘ The Commandant applied for me.” Ward 
flushed sensitively as he spoke. ^ ‘ He knew that 
I was innocent, and felt it would be a vindica- 
tion of the past. At first I refused the detail, 
but he overpersuaded me, and, someway, I felt 
— I hoped — that here I could make good. But 
I can’t. I’ve been a failure as a tactical officer. 
I find myself afraid of reporting a man for fear 
of doing him an injustice. You see, after hav- 
ing been wrongfully accused one’s self — ” he 
threw out his hands in an impotent little ges- 
ture — ^ ‘ it makes one overcareful, and now it 
will be even worse, for, from what happened 
to-night, I know that the battalion has heard 
my story and passed judgment upon me.” 

But what if it has. Ward? You know that 
you’re not guilty! ” 

Ward met the other’s eyes with a look half- 
troubled, half-furtive. 

Sometimes I almost feel that I must be 
guilty, for the evidence was very convincing. 


THE BATTALION’S DISPLEASURE 57 


so convincing that I wonder I was ever 
cleared. ^ ’ 

But it was purely circumstantial! ’’ 

Oh, of course.^’ 

And what motive could the court give for 
such an act? You have plenty of money outside 
your pay, and at the most the amount — ah — 
missed was but a paltry couple of thousand, 
wasn’t it? ” 

Yes. Yet the Judge Advocate pointed out 
that a couple of thousand might mean much 
even to a wealthy man at a pinch. ’ ’ 

Perhaps so, if the man gambled — ” 

But I didn’t.” 

‘ ‘ Or drank — ’ ’ 

Ward shook his head. 

^ ‘ Or played the races — ’ ’ 

No, I was just out of the Academy, and 
my ideals were high.” 

And yet—” 

‘‘ And yet I was accused of allowing a 
government check to be forged in my 
name.” 

But just how were you to profit by this 
forgery — in theory, I mean? ” 


58 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


By dividing with the man who cashed the 
check. ’ ’ 

And was he never caught? 

Never! 

You were on recruiting duty at the time, 
weren’t you, Ward? ” 

Yes, in Michigan.” 

And who else was in the office with you? ” 

An old sergeant of the regiment.” 

Griswold sat up in his chair. 

‘‘ And this sergeant? What of him? ” 

‘‘ Straight as a string and a great friend of 
mine. It fact it was his testimony, combined 
with the sharp legal work of my counsel, that 
got me otf at all. ’ ’ 

And your counsel? Of course he believes 
in you ? ’ ’ 

Ward winced as if he had been struck. 

No. He, too, thinks me guilty. He inti- 
mated as much when the trial was over and said 
I was lucky to have escaped punishment. He 
even tried to give me advice for the future. ’ ’ 
Lieutenant Griswold frowned at the wall be- 
hind his visitor’s head. 

‘ ‘ Then, as far as the world is concerned, you 


THE BATTALION’S DISPLEASURE 59 


might almost as well be serving a term at the 
military prison? ” 

Yes, and a cell couldn’t be much narrower 
than the world has grown. For ten years I’ve 
been on detached service, now here, now there, 
and always within a few months my past has 
tracked me down. I’ve even thought of resign- 
ing, but it would do no good unless I should 
change my name and identity in some way.” 

Nonsense, Ward. Don’t get morbid. Just 
stick it out, and sometime — somehow — you’ll 
be cleared.” 

And meanwhile? ” 

Griswold leaned forward and put a great 
hand on the other’s knee. 

‘ ‘ Meanwhile do your duty as you find it, and 
one of your first duties is to become a better 
tactical officer. Make your young charges toe 
the mark. Try some of the Sleuth’s methods 
on ’em. Hold ’em sharply to account for any 
infraction of discipline, and remember always 
that if you make an occasional mistake and 
report ’em unjustly they have a higher court 
of appeal. Forget that you ever had a past and 
live in the present. Become the best officer in 


60 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


the Tactical Department. Put your foolish, 
sensitive pride on the top shelf of your closet 
and — leave it there. It doesn’t matter a bit 
whether you’re popular or unpopular with the 
Corps — ” 

Ward held out a shaking hand, but before 
he could speak, Griswold answered his unvoiced 
protest : 

‘ ‘ Oh, I know that you ’ve never ‘ boned ’ pop- 
ularity. I’ve always known it, even when ap- 
pearances were against you.” 

^ ‘ Appearances ? Y ou mean — ’ ’ 

“ That to an unobservant person your hesi- 
tation in reporting cadets might almost savor 
of bootlicking, but I had heard the story of 
your court-martial, and putting two and two 
together — ’ ’ 

‘‘ You made a charitable four.” The visitor 
got to his feet. You’ve been very good — 
always — and to-night you’ve helped me more 
than I can say.” 

And you’ve been very patient. I hope my 
moralizing hasn’t wearied you.” 

Ward took the big, hearty, outstretched hands 
in both of his. 


THE BATTALION’S DISPLEASURE 61 


From now on I’ll try to live each day as it 
comes, and forget the past. Up to this time I’ve 
always been waiting — hoping — ’ ’ his voice 
broke. 

‘‘ The knowledge of your own innocence 
should be a help to you, Ward.” 

It was at first, but latterly I’ve craved 
human sympathy.” 

Grriswold smiled understandingly. 

Once long ago in my cadet days I suffered 
social ostracism. The experience didn’t find 
me where it left me. Such experiences never 
do.” 

“ And how did it leave you? ” Ward asked. 

Griswold threw back his shoulders as if sha- 
king off some weight. 

More indifferent to public opinion than I 
had ever dreamed possible. Ward.” 

‘‘ You think, then, that such indifference 
spells freedom? ” 

The other man nodded, and Ward, a new 
light in his eyes, said good-by, adding a half- 
awkward : 

‘‘ Thank you more than I can say for allow- 
ing me to blow off steam.” 


62 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


It^s better than letting one’s engine burst,” 
laughed Griswold, opening the door of his 
room and bowing Lieutenant Ward down the 
stairs. 



CHAPTER FIVE 


THE PEBSECUTION OF RIGGS 

And so it was the worm turned. Up to the 
time of the Silence in the Mess Hall, the 
Corps had not given Lieutenant Ward credit 
for much discernment, and in consequence men 
like Riggs and Gronna, or Sydney Dodd of the 
first class, were apt to be careless his days 
on duty, and now to have him suddenly veer 
around without the slightest warning and haul 
delinquents up before the Commandant, was 
mortifying in the extreme. 

Once he reported Riggs for tobacco smoke in 
quarters merely because Riggs, who was room- 
orderly for the day, had sprinkled the floor with 
cologne just before inspection; and Riggs, as 
triumphant as he was truthful, put in an ex- 
planation to the effect that there had been no 
smoking in those particular quarters for over 
a month. 

And why had he sprinkled the floor with 
63 


64 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


cologne? the Commandant wanted to know. 
Merely because the odor was refreshing — in- 
vigorating. Oh, yes, Riggs knew that cologne 
was often used in barracks to cover np the 
effects of tobacco smoke, but he had not 
dreamed that Adonis — er, that is. Lieutenant 
Ward — would jump to the conclusion without 
further proof that there had been smoking in 
the room. 

Riggs’ manner was respectful, but it showed 
plainly, withal, that he was keenly alive to the 
injustice of the accusation made, against him. 
His looks said more plainly than words that he 
was deeply hurt — yes, and disappointed — 
that a member of the Tactical Department 
should have been so lacking in honor as to 
report a man on mere suspicion. Where was 
the justice of it? Where was the right? 

And, meanwhile. Lieutenant Ward, appar- 
ently undismayed, became a second Sleuth. 
Riggs was properly indignant. He felt that 
the Academy was going to the dogs, and said 
so quite openly. How dared a member of the 
Tactical Department accuse him time and again 
without the slightest evidence? How dared 


THE PERSECUTION OF RIGGS 65 


Adonis assume that a man was doing wrong 
when he hadn’t an atom of proof on which to 
base the report? It was against all the tradi- 
tions of the Academy to hanl a fellow np on 
suspicion. If Adonis really wanted to report 
him, he’d give Adonis something to report him 
for ! 

And sure enough it was soon rumored abroad 
that Riggs, in the hospital for some minor ail- 
ment, had slipped out one evening and flagged 
an express to New York, where he spent an 
hilarious night, returning on an early morning 
train without being hived.” 

When questioned on the subject by friends in 
the Corps, Riggs had assumed a mysterious air 
which meant anything the inquisitive ones had 
imagination enough to conjure up, and occasion- 
ally he denied the escapade, hut with such con- 
scious guilt that it but confirmed the suspicions 
of his admiring friends and the horror of his 
more conservative acquaintances. 

To be sure the sergeant in charge of the hos- 
pital affirmed and reaffirmed to the eager ques- 
tions of equally scatter-brained youths that Mr. 
Riggs had been in his bed at the hour he was 


66 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


supposed to have been enjoying Broadway’s 
latest musical sensation. Could it have been a 
dummy? Hardly, unless the dummy was so 
constructed that it sat up every two hours and 
swallowed a dose of nauseous cough medicine. 
Also the steward remembered perfectly that 
Mr. Biggs had thrashed around in his sleep and 
snored so loudly in the dark watches of the 
night that he had to be wakened, notwithstand- 
ing which the rumor spread that Biggs had 
actually run it ” to New York, Gronna taking 
his place temporarily in the darkened ward of 
the hospital. 

Never in the history of the Academy had such 
a thing been attempted, much less carried off 
successfully, and the story grew with the telling 
until at last it was rumored among the plebes 
that Mr. Biggs had met the Commandant face 
to face at the theatre, and in response to that 
gentleman’s puzzled stare of half-recognition he 
had bowed profoundly, called him by name, and 
even essayed a platitude on the weather. Oh, 
he was a great boy, that Biggs! No wonder 
the title of B. J., bestowed upon him in plebe 
camp, still clung fast. 


THE PERSECUTION OF RIGGS 67 


Whether or not he was guilty of the New 
York escapade no one ever knew but Gronna; 
and Gronna, when questioned on the subject, 
professed such ignorance, and was, moreover, 
so shocked at the whole proceeding that he was 
credited by many as having accompanied Eiggs. 
However that was, the Tactical Department 
began taking a most inordinate interest in the 
two young men from that time on, and Eiggs 
bitterly protested that he, in particular, was 
being persecuted, for he couldn’t so much as 
run a light after Taps ” but some one dis- 
covered it. He couldn’t make a friendly visit 
after call to quarters but he would be hived.” 
He couldn’t ‘‘ run it ” to Denton’s, but that he 
was discovered. Why, he hadn’t even been able 
to sneak sugar back from the Mess Hall with- 
out getting caught. It was outrageous — incon- 
ceivable-monstrous ! He felt himself under 
eternal surveillance and chafed at the re- 
straint. 

Then, too, more often than not, he was ac- 
cused of pranks in which he had not partici- 
pated, such as putting basins of water where 
they emptied on unsuspecting tactical heads. 


68 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


firing the reveille gun at midnight, or hauling 
that same gun to the roof of barracks, pranks 
which sober-minded youths like Jack Stirling 
characterized as schoolboy tricks, unbecoming 
a cadet and gentleman. 

I donT see why they should suspect me of 
having a hand in all the devilment that goes 
on in barracks,’’ Riggs complained bitterly to 
Raymond the day his name was read out in 
connection with some scandalous tampering 
with the sea-coast guns, and then, in spite of 
himself, he grinned at Raymond’s discreetly- 
lowered eyelid. 

‘‘I’ve been wondering how it ever happened 
you weren’t on that expedition,” Raymond 
ventured delicately. 

Riggs tried to look reproachful, but failed 
incontinently. 

“ I made a mistake in the time and got there 
just fifteen minutes too late! ” 

Raymond howled gleefully at the acknowledg- 
ment. 

“ But that isn’t the point, Mizzoo.” Riggs 
was very earnest. “ The Tactical Department 
has no right to haul a fellow up on suspicion. 


THE PERSECUTION OF RIGGS 69 


and a second classman, at that! It just hap- 
pened I wasnT there, to he sure, but they’ve no 
right to suspect me. They — they treat me like 
a plebe.” I^iggs felt as much aggrieved as if 
he had been entirely innocent. 

Perhaps the rumor of the New York trip 
has reached the ^ Supe’s ’ ears, and he’s trying 
to make you pay the bill, ’ ’ suggested Raymond. 
Riggs’ eyes sparkled. 

Do you really think so, Mizzoo? Do you 
think that he’s heard the story? ” 

Raymond watched his classmate narrowly. 

I don’t believe you so much as attempted 
that foolhardy escapade, B. J.” 

And why not, old man? ” 

Because you’ve too mucR sense to risk your 
cadetship for a mess of pottage.” 

Do you call champagne and terrapin pot- 
tage? ” 

The kind of champagne you indulged in 
that night wouldn’t hurt an infant in arms. As 
for the terrapin — ” 

Riggs looked belligerent. 

'' How did the story get started then, Miz- 
zoo? ” 


70 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Raymond brushed the question aside. 

When I first heard it, I told Jack that I 
knew it was one of your own inventions, because 
if it had been true no one would ever have 
found it out. You’re proverbially lucky about 
not getting ‘ hived ’ when you ought to be, 
Riggs.” 

‘‘ You mean unlucky about getting ‘ hived ’ 
when I ought not to be. Why, Raymond, I’ve 
been up before . the Commandant twice this 
week, and in each instance it was for something 
I was as innocent of as you yourself.” 

‘‘ And how many things have you done that 
you ought to have been hauled up for, and 
weren’t? ” 

Et tUj Brute! ” murmured Riggs pathetic- 
ally. Then casting off his gloom, as. if by a 
great effort, he remarked tentatively: 

Hear you’re going to the cadet hop on 
Saturday night! ” 

Raymond nodded casually. 

Who’s your partner? ” 

‘‘ Miss McDonald.” 

“ Well, I must say that you’re a lucky file 
to get a girl like that for your very first 


THE PERSECUTION OF RIGGS 71 


hop. Hope you 11 give me a dance on her 
card.’’ 

Raymond flushed uncomfortably. 

I’m sorry, B. J., but the card’s filled.” 

Riggs manifested a still more stricken 
gloom. 

It’s the way of the world,” he murmured 
sadly, turning on his heel. Public opinion’s 
stronger than friendship. It slew the Roman 
gladiators. It made martyrs of the early Chris- 
tians. It brought about the French Revolution. 
It — it — ” 

Why waste your eloquence, Riggs? ” 
laughed Raymond. You know as well as I 
do that Miss McDonald’s card was made out 
for me by one of the hop-managers. ’ ’ 

But Riggs refused to be placated. 

‘ ‘ Give a dog a bad name, ’ ’ he muttered, try- 
ing to look ill-used. 

Raymond dug him in the ribs unfeelingly. 

You ‘ bone ’ that bad name the way Marr, 
Bruce, and Sylvester ^ bone tenths,’ or little 
Bradley ‘ bones chevrons.’ ” 

^ ‘ But, Raymond, — ’ ’ 

^ But me no huts,’ Riggs. I see through 


72 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

you, even if you don’t see through yourself, and 
furlough’s responsible.” 

Furlough? ” 

Yes, it took two years of West Point dis- 
cipline to bring you to a sense of your respon- 
sibilities, and two months of furlough knocked 
it all out of you again. I remember a talk we 
had, Riggs, just before the June examinations, 
in which you said that you’d wakened up to 
the fact that none of us could dodge our per- 
sonal responsibility at the Academy. In other 
words, that it was wrong for a man to do things 
which would put the place out of commission 
if every one else followed suit.” 

Riggs shrugged his shoulders. 

‘‘ Mercy, Raymond, I don’t believe I ever 
said such a thing. You must be thinking of the 
Chaplain ’s sermon where he urges us to become 
the best men we ’re capable of becoming. Which 
reminds me, Mizzoo, that we haven’t had that 
sermon once since furlough, have we? Neither 
has Felix trembled yet before the righteousness 
of Paul.” 

That shows how you fellows up there in the 
choir sleep every Sunday,” returned Raymond 


THE PERSECUTION OF RIGGS 73 


with mock severity, for Felix trembled week 
before last, and twice since our return weVe 
been eloquently urged to become the best men 
we’re capable of becoming — to grow to our 
full stature mentally and morally. ’ ’ 



CHAPTER SIX 


RAYMOND BECOMES A SPOONOID 

Not having been a dancing man up to the 
middle of October in his second class year, and 
attempting it then on the advice of well-mean- 
ing friends who felt that something would be 
expected socially of the coming first captain, 
Raymond was only too glad to have one of the 
hop-managers pick out a partner for him on 
the occasion of what Riggs termed his in- 
ceptive flight into terpsichorean realms.” 

“ I believe you’d enjoy taking Lieutenant 
McDonald’s sister,” Bobby Graham had said, 
after a careful survey of the Blue Book, which 
is kept each year by the hop-managers to make 
sure that no girl on the post is left without a 
partner. She’s a good dancer, and thor- 
oughly niee — a great favorite with our class.” 

‘‘ Would she care to go with a fellow who’s 
never been much of a ‘ spoonoid? ’ ” asked 
Raymond somewhat anxiously. 

74 


RAYMOND BECOMES A SPOONOID 75 


‘‘ Belle McDonald and I are such good chums 
that I wouldn^t think of putting her off on any 
one whose manners weren’t as good as his mor- 
als,” averred Graham. 

But my dancing, Bobby! ” 

‘‘ Rather ahead of the average, old man, and 
I’m glad to see that you’re going to put it to 
good use.” 

During yearling camp Raymond had met sev- 
eral of the young women living on the post, and 
he remembered Lieutenant McDonald’s sister 
as a small, dark-haired girl with a friendly 
manner and ready laugh, so he wrote a per- 
functory little note asking for the pleasure of 
her company at the next Saturday night hop, 
and it must be confessed that on receiving her 
acceptance he was thrown into a state of panic 
not unlike that preceding the January and June 
examinations. 

When the fateful night arrived, great was 
the excitement in that wing of barracks. Jack, 
Bayard, and Marr helping to make their friend 
as spoony ” as possible, though teasing him 
unmercifully the while for deserting their bach- 
elor ranks. But at last, arrayed in a new pair 


76 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


of pumps, the snuggest of dress-coats, and the 
most beautifully-creased trousers, Raymond set 
forth, followed by the good-natured chaffing of 
his stay-at-home friends. 

“ Remember not to count aloud while waltz- 
ing,’’ cautioned Jack. A girl expects you to 
say something beside ‘ one, two, three; one, 
two, three! ’ ” 

Make haste slowly, Mizzoo,” otfered Marr. 

Don’t think you can change in a single eve- 
ning from an old Square Toes to a dapperling 
carpet-knight! ” 

And, oh, Raymond, if you should fall while 
dancing, be sure to let go of the girl,” warned 
Bayard, who had never been able to trust the 
combination of new pumps and a smoothly- 
waxed floor after so nearly breaking his own 
and his partner’s neck at the first yearling ball. 

Raymond answered his tormentors in kind, 
but he felt decidedly nervous as he clattered 
down the stairs at Riggs’ heels, and almost con- 
templated going to the hospital with an attack 
of what he called scaretis,” and sending some 
one else in his place. But, no, he was coming 
to think that chevrons carried with them some 


X' 


RAYMOND BECOMES A SPOONOID 77 


social responsibility and he would pay the 
price. 

Have you a fresh handkerchief, Mizzoo? 
inquired Jack solicitously from the top of the 
stairs. 

And are you quite sure that your finger- 
nails are clean? mocked Marr, so solemnly 
that in spite of himself Raymond looked to 
see. 

At the sallyport Raymond and Riggs sepa- 
rated, for Riggs was going in the opposite direc- 
tion, as his partner for the evening was visiting 
on Professors^ Row. 

Whatever else you do, or leave undone,’’ 
chuckled Riggs, don’t make a mistake in the 
house, Mizzoo. It’s the middle one in that 
group of three just south of the hospital.” 

Arrived at the quarters indicated by Riggs, 
Raymond rang the bell vigorously, and shook 
in his brand-new pumps, quite as if he were 
going to face the Academic Board instead of 
a mere slip of a girl who had transposed an i 
for an e in her brief note of acceptance. 

For a long time Raymond waited but nobody 
answered the bell. His teeth began to chatter 


78 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


and his hands to shake. He was horribly nerv- 
ous, but he forced himself to ring again, and 
this time the door was opened with startling 
suddenness by a girl in evening dress. 

But it was not Miss McDonald! 

Raymond was frightfully embarrassed. Had 
he made a mistake in the house? Had Riggs 
directed him wrongly? He was such a cut-up, 
that Riggs ! 

But, come to think of it, Raymond remem- 
bered that before going away on furlough he 
had accompanied a group of classmates to this 
very door. They were making a party-call on 
Lieutenant McDonald’s wife. And yet the Mrs. 
McDonald he had seen on several occasions was 
short and fat, while this young woman was tall 
and slender with quantities of reddish-gold hair 
coiled round and round her shapely head. Ray- 
mond was reasonably sure, too, that she was 
not a visitor at the McDonalds’ house, for he 
had seen her often during his last year at the 
Academy, and had regretted, in a quite imper- 
sonal way, that she had not come to the post 
in time for their yearling camp. 

But the tall, gray-eyed girl was speaking: 


RAYMOND BECOMES A SPOONOID 79 


This is Mr. Raymond, isn’t it? ” she asked 
graciously, and Raymond, with a bow that 
would have done credit to the old dancing- 
master, found himself following her into the 
drawing-room. 

He saw it all now. This Was Miss McDonald, 
of course, and the tiny brunette he had expected 
to see was somebody else. He had simply 
tacked the wrong personality on to the name. 
And, yes. Miss McDonald’s brother, who was an 
instructor in drawing, had red hair, too. It 
was so simple that Raymond quite recovered his 
lost composure, especially on noting that the 
girl herself was a trifle embarrassed, and he 
broke the uncomfortable silence with a tenta- 
tive : 

Well, are you quite ready! ” 

The gray eyes opened very wide. 

Ready! ” Miss McDonald echoed, a swift 
color flooding her cheeks: Ready for what, 

Mr. Raymond! ” 

Quite himself again, by reason of the girl’s 
confusion, Raymond smiled. 

Ready for the hop, of course. You’re 
going with me to-night, aren’t you! ” 


80 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Miss McDonald looked more ill at ease than 
ever. 

I didn’t know that it was this week yon 
wanted me,” she murmured. I hadn’t ex- 
pected to go to the hop to-night. In fact I have 
another engagement.” She stopped short at 
the disappointment in Raymond’s face. 

Not going to the hop, and with such a nice 
card made out for her in his pocket? Not going 
to the hop after she had accepted his invitation? 
Not going to the hop when he had endured all 
the agony of getting ready for it ? Impulsively 
he spoke: 

But you promised to go ! ” 

‘‘ Yes, Mr. Raymond, only I understood that 
it was the next hop you wanted me for, not this 
one. ’ ’ 

Raymond bit his lip, but he was too well-bred 
to argue the question further, so getting to his 
feet he murmured something about looking for- 
ward to escorting her to the next hop and re- 
gretting that he had mixed the two dates — it 
was unconscionably stupid of him — and then 
very gravely he wished his young hostess good- 
night. 


RAYMOND BECOMES A SPOONOID 81 


The girl regarded him with troubled eyes. 

But I don't quite understand, Mr. Ray- 
mond. Are you to come for me next time in- 
stead of Mr. Graham? It was he who asked 
me, you know. ' ' 

Raymond flushed sensitively. It was evident 
that the girl was trying to get out of the engage- 
ment. She could see, of course, that he was 
new to the business, and she preferred going 
with some one else. Well, he didn't blame her 
much for that, and yet — and yet Graham had 
been so sure that they would like each other. 
It was very mortifying. 

By a supreme effort of will Raymond con- 
trolled his trembling lips, bowed very low, and 
backed towards the door. 

‘‘I'm sorry that I may not have the pleasure 
of escorting you to either of the hops, ' ' he said 
rather stiffly, and then with another bow : 
“ Good evening. Miss McDonald! " 

“ Miss McDonald? echoed the girl. “ How 
did you happen to mistake me for Miss Mc- 
Donald? We're not in the least alike." 

Raymond's jaw dropped. Not Miss McDon- 
ald! Then who under the sun was she? But 


82 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


even as he asked himself this question, the girl, 
shaking with laughter, held out a slender hand 
in Raymond’s direction. 

‘‘ Don’t go till I’ve explained,” she gasped, 
and please don’t think me rude, hut it’s such 
a funny mistake that I can’t help laughing. 
You asked Miss McDonald to go to the hop 
with you to-night, and not knowing her by sight 
you naturally supposed on seeing me in evening 
dress that I was Miss McDonald? ” 

Raymond nodded miserably. 

And my red hair made you all the more 
sure that I must be Lieutenant McDonald’s sis- 
ter! ” 

‘‘ But you are a relative? ” ventured Ray- 
mond. 

No,” twinkled the girl. 

Some one visiting here? ” he persisted. 
She shook her head. 

An awful fear rooted Raymond to the 
spot. 

Then this isn’t the McDonald house at 
all! ” he affirmed. 

But it was the McDonald house until last 
week, Mr. Raymond. You see. Lieutenant Me- 


RAYMOND BECOMES A SPOONOID 83 


Donald, who ranks ns, had a chance to move 
into better quarters on the hill, and we took 
these. My husband is Lieutenant Mendell, your 
instructor in Chemistry, I believe.’’ 

Raymond ground his teeth in rage at his own 
stupidity, but young Mrs. Mendell went on 
comfortably : 

‘ ^ It was a most natural mistake on your part, 
Mr. Raymond, and I’m glad it happened, as 
otherwise I might not have had the pleasure of 
meeting you so soon. I have heard of you often 
through my husband, who is most interested in 
your work in his department. In fact he pre- 
dicts that you’ll come back here yourself one 
of these days as an instructor in Chemistry. ’ ’ 

Raymond ventured a little smile, and Mrs. 
Mendell, encouraged, went on: 

“ The mistake this evening was as much mine 
as yours, Mr. Raymond, and it might have been 
far more embarrassing than it was, for when 
you spoke of going to the hop I thought at once 
that you were on the hop-committee, and had 
been sent down as my escort. Knowing how 
carefully the Blue Book is kept I felt that I 
must be at fault about the date on which I was 


84 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


to receive, and had just decided to give up my 
other engagement and go with you, rather 
than disappoint the committee, when you 
called me Miss McDonald and so saved the 
day! ’’ 

Raymond gasped at his narrow escape. 

I should never have heard the end of that, 
Mrs. Mendell.’^ 

While now,” Mrs. Mendell assured him, 
^ ^ the joke is entirely between us, unless, indeed, 
you care to tell it on yourself.” 

Raymond smiled again at the young matron’s 
earnestness, and liking the smile, she said im- 
pulsively : 

Suppose you come over next Saturday 
afternoon and help me entertain some friends 
who’ll he with me then? If you like. I’ll ask 
Miss McDonald, too, and I’ll label her plainly 
so that you’ll not mix us up again! ” 

Raymond laughed outright and a moment 
later found himself on the way to Lieutenant 
McDonald’s new quarters, not so much embar- 
rassed at his misadventure, as confident that 
he had found another friend on the post, for 
he had often heard that young Mrs. Mendell, 


RAYMOND BECOMES A SPOONOID 85 


still in her teens, was very popular with the 
Corps, and always had a houseful of jolly girls 
for the hops. 

And so it was that John Raymond became a 
“ spoonoid,’’ and quite the most popular 

spoonoid ” of the class, for he entered into 
the spirit of the thing so joyously that he 
pleased his new friends even more easily than 
they pleased him, and was quite unconscious, 
not only of his own popularity, but that many 
a yearling with social aspirations assiduously 
copied his manner of claiming a dance, of 
sweeping otf his hat at exactly the right angle, 
and of helping a girl with her wraps. 

Also he was most punctilious about making 
his ‘ ‘ duty calls ’ ’ on the post, and accepted the 
horrible custom, not stoically as did Jack, and 
Bayard, and Marr, who faced the awful ordeal 
even as they would have faced a foe in battle ; 
not using Indian tactics, as did Riggs and 
Gronna, stalking dark houses on late winter 
afternoons, or putting cards under the door and 
running away without ringing the bell; but 
joyously, quite as if he relished finding people 
at home, and having literally to drag himself 


86 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


away from each pleasant hearthstone when the 
conventional five minutes was up. 

‘‘ YouVe a real talent for friendship,” Mrs. 
Mendell said to him approvingly over an after- 
noon cup of tea later in the winter. 

Then you think that the ability to make 
friends is a talent? ” Raymond had parried. 

‘‘ No! lUs easy enough to make friends. 
The talent lies in keeping them.” 

Raymond helped his hostess to a slice of 
cake. 

Jack Stirling has a philosophic acquaint- 
ance, Mrs. Mendell, an old sergeant in his 
father’s regiment, who insists that if you aren’t 
friends with yourself first you can’t hope to 
be friends with anybody else.” 

That must be Sergeant Donnelly,” ven- 
tured Mrs. Mendell. “ He’s a fine old chap 
from all I hear, and little Tim Croghan tells 
me that when Mr. Stirling was chased by In- 
dians as a small boy the sergeant saved his 
life.” 

Yes, and a narrow escape they both had, 
I can assure you. Some day Jack must tell you 
the story.” 


RAYMOND BECOMES A SPOONOID 87 


Young Croghan told it at supper the other 
night, and most thrillingly, too. I believe that 
his father is an officer in the same regiment, 
isn’t he? ” 

No, Croghan’s father is a sergeant, like 
Donnelly, and a rather rough old Irishman. I 
met him at Fort Leavenworth last summer, you 
know. ’ ’ 

Mrs. Mendell, deeply interested, leaned for- 
ward. 

‘ ‘ But ‘ Tiny Tim ’ is delightful — a born 
gentleman! ” she cried. 

Yes, there isn’t a finer chap in the Corps 
to-day than Croghan. He’s made a rattling 
good first corporal, and rumor has it that he’ll 
succeed Jack as sergeant-major in June.” 

Oh, I’m so glad! How proud his people 
must be of him. ’ ’ 

And the regiment, too, Mrs. Mendell. It’s 
as proud of Tim as it is of Jack! ” 

All but Sergeant Donnelly, I suppose? ” 

Well, Donnelly’s somewhat prejudiced. 
You see Jack taught him to read and write.” 

Really? And how did Mr. Stirling find 
time for that on furlough? ” 


88 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

Oh, it wasnT on furlongli. They learned 
their letters together when Jack was a little 
boy, and at the same time, through Jack’s un- 
conscious influence, Donnelly stopped drinking 
and eventually became top-sergeant of the 
troop. ’ ’ 

‘VWhat a pretty story,” smiled Mrs. Men- 
dell, ringing for the tea things to be removed. 

I’ve heard part of it before through Marie 
Harding, whose father was once colonel of the 
regiment, you know, but she didn’t happen to 
tell me about Mr. Stirling teaching the man 
to read.” 

<< Why, where did you and Marie Harding 
meet, Mrs. Mendell? She hasn’t been on the 
Point since our yearling camp, though the class 
has sent her invitations for all the big 
hops.” 

Mrs. Mendell smiled at the young man’s 
eagerness. 

We met at Narragansett last summer, and 
I can assure you that Marie was the belle of the 
place. ’ ’ 

Some way,” frowned Raymond, I can’t 
imagine her in such a role. She was too good 


RAYMOND BECOMES A SPOONOID 89 

a comrade to be a belle, too direct in her man- 
ner, too — er — boyish. ^ ’ 

And yet those very qualities made her a 
belle, insisted Mrs. Mendell. When com- 
pared with Marie all the other girls at the place 
were like dust around a blazing jewel, as Mere- 
dith said about Diana of the Crossways; and, 
unlike Diana, Marie was always considerate of 
impossible people, those shy girls and men that 
others shun. And in more than one instance,’^ 
with a reminiscent little twinkle, ‘‘ those impos- 
sible people of Marie ^s turned out to be really 
worth while. 

She was just like that in yearling camp,’’ 
mused Raymond, for through her influence 
several quiet chaps in the class came to the 
front, and, as you put it, proved themselves 
worth while.” 

“ Wasn’t Bayard one of her friends? ” 

Yes, and old Marr, too, and — ” 

John Raymond? ” with a look that was 
very kind. 

Well,” apologetically, she was awfully 
good to us all, and in a hearty, frank sort of 
way that no other girl quite attained. ’ ’ 


90 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


I suppose that Jack Stirling’s her favor- 
ite? ” 

If you could accuse her of favoritism.” 

‘‘ And what about Mr. Stirling? Is he inter- 
ested in Marie ? ” 

Oh, Jack’s as fond of Marie as if she were 
his own sister.” 

Then there’s no romance between them? ” 
‘ ‘ Mercy, no ! Marie ’s not the sort of girl 
who expects a fellow to be sentimental.” 

I didn’t think so,” laughed Mrs. Mendell. 
She told me herself at Narragansett last 
summer that when she sat out dances with a 
man under a most romantic moon it was in- 
variably to discuss some matter of common 
interest either in sports or studies.” 

That’s Marie all over,” cried Raymond 
enthusiastically. She’s the best of comrades 
— the best of chums — and her interest in a 
fellow’s work or play is never — er — ” 

For effect? ” suggested Mrs. Mendell. 

‘ ‘ Exactly ! And because of this — because 
she never seemed to remember that she was a 
girl — because she insisted on a genuine friend- 
ship with a man, rather than the silly pretense 


RAYMOND BECOMES A SPOONOID 91 


of love which some fellows think a girl prefers, 
she brought out the best in each of us and made 
no end of friends in the Corps that summer/’ 
‘‘ To hear Marie talk,” observed Mrs. Men- 
dell, one would think there was never an 
institution of learning in the world like West 
Point, and never a class at the Academy like 
yours, and never a greater influence for good 
in the cadet battalion than the Big Four! ” 
Raymond flushed with pleasure. 

It was Marie Harding who called us the 
Big Four in the beginning, Mrs. Mendell, and 
we simply had to live up to her belief in us ! ” 
Mrs. Mendell looked approvingly at Ray- 
mond. 

I think from different remarks let drop by 
your class that Marie Harding has something 
to live up to herself.” 

‘‘ I don’t know about that! ” flashed Ray- 
mond. It would be hard for any fellow to 
set too high an ideal for a really nice girl! ” 
And he wondered, as he buttoned up his over- 
coat, why Mrs. Mendell said, rather irrele- 
vantly, it would seem: 

‘‘I’d like to meet your sisters, John! ” 


CHAPTER SEVEN 


GRAY DAYS IN BARRACKS 

As usual Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New 
Year’s passed without much change in the daily 
routine of West Point life, save that on each 
occasion the dinner in the Mess Hall was better 
than the ordinary dinner, while on New Year’s 
Day the second classmen made their first formal 
New Year’s calls on those of the Academic 
Board receiving, and so generous was the hos- 
pitality extended the young gentlemen that 
even cadet appetites failed to respond after 
the third or fourth visit. Also on New Year’s 
Eve a cotillion was given in the old Mess Hall, 
a cotillion which had the merit of lasting until 
midnight instead of ending at Taps,” as was 
customary with the average cadet hop, not- 
withstanding which there was little enjoyment 
in store for any of the classes at West Point 
until after the January examinations were over, 
for in those old days the intense ‘‘ boning ” 
92 


GRAY DAYS IN BARRACKS 


93 


for these ordeals turned the time set apart by 
ordinary mortals for celebration, or at least a 
cessation of labor, into a vast German holi- 
day.” 

The new grades were announced on the cold- 
est night of the winter at undress parade, the 
battalion standing at attention for half an hour 
with the thermometer below zero, which re- 
sulted in several frost-bitten noses and ears, 
but that no one was found deficient in the sec- 
ond class occasioned much joy from Franklin, 
the brilliant Vermonter, down to little Leffing- 
well Bryce, who passed by the merest accident, 
as he himself declared, for a tenth off in any 
one of the four studies would have assured his 
dismissal from the Academy. 

As might have been predicted Jack Stirling, 
the army boy, came out one in the study of 
Tactics, while John Raymond, because of much 
experimentation along similar lines at home, 
ranked the class in Chemistry, the brilliant and 
heretofore infallible Franklin standing second 
in both studies to his own huge disgust, al- 
though in Mechanics and Drawing he had more 
than held his own. 


94 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


At the close of the first week in their new 
work both Stirling and Raymond could report 
good grades in everything, Raymond taking to 
Electricity and Magnetism with the same gusto 
that had sent him to the head of the class in 
Chemistry. Even that much-dreaded subject 
of wave-motion failed to sweep them over- 
board ” in Philosophy, and in common with 
other men in the higher sections, they found 
it interesting to see amidst the whirl of Greek 
letters and lumbering equations how all Nature 
is built on a law and order plan, and how dull 
mathematics may be made to yield astonishing 
proofs of the existence of light and sound 
waves. 

With all its difficulties the two friends liked 
this part of the course better than anything they 
had yet been over, and in consequence found 
their grades improving to a marked degree, 
and as there was little or nothing to take them 
away from their studies during the winter 
months, it may well be imagined that grades 
proved an absorbing topic of conversation in 
Cadet Barracks, where one week was so exactly 
like another that there was no telling them 


GRAY DAYS IN BARRACKS 


95 


apart except by one’s standing in the section- 
room; unless, indeed, the Superintendent sig- 
nallized it by issuing some specially unpopular 
order, for it must be confessed that the men 
were grumbling a good deal about the Super- 
intendent that year, declaring that he was get- 
ting more exacting every day and predicting 
an unhappy state of affairs for future cadets 
if the authorities continued cutting off little 
privileges. 

In addition to many other things one of the 
cadet lieutenants, a most popular fellow in the 
Corps, had been reduced to ranks and confined 
to barracks for three months because he dared 
speak to the Superintendent after the latter 
pronounced an interview ended, and there was 
naturally much discussion over the affair in 
barracks. 

Talk about the Autocrat of all the Rus- 
sias! ” Mick ” Rafferty, a yearling, had com- 
plained to Stirling and Raymond on the after- 
noon that the order was published. Why, 
royalty itself would not exact a more respect- 
ful manner than does the ‘ Supe ’ of the poor 
cadet ushered into his awful presence! ’’ 


96 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


‘‘ And wliat sort of discipline would he have 
if he didn’t exact respect? ” inquired Jack 
lightly. You’re talking like a plebe, Raf- 
ferty, and a ‘ Sep-plebe,’ at that, for all your 
years at the Academy and those chevrons and 
that brace!” 

Mick ” laughed ruefully. 

‘‘ Sometimes, Jack, I almost feel as if I’d 
like to run amok just to see what would hap- 
pen, for I get so tired of all these military con- 
ventions and so impatient of the red-tape they 
measure out to us that I actually feel as if I 
couldn’t stand it another moment. The very 
bugle-calls get on my nerves till I — oh, well, 
probably I wasn’t cut out for a soldier anyway. 
Reckon I ought to have been a ladies’ tailor.” 

Stirling looked very grave, but he had 
learned that a chap could be all right and still 
not understand army discipline as he himself 
did. Why, even Raymond had almost gone to 
pieces his first year at the Academy. Yet there 
was no finer man in the Corps to-day than old 
Mizzoo ! And even as Jack thought this, Ray- 
mond leaned forward impulsively and laid a 
hand on Rafferty’s shoulder. 


GRAY DAYS IN BARRACKS 


97 


‘‘ It’s the weather that’s depressing you, 
Mick, and the fact that we’re not getting 
enough out-of-door exercise. If it wasn’t for 
riding every other day to keep our blood stirred 
up a bit I don’t know what would happen to 
the Corps.” 

‘‘ Yes, but even riding’s awful,” grumbled 
Rafferty, when you draw a vicious, bucking 
horse like old Sawbones.” 

Gronna claims that he likes to ride Saw- 
bones because it always gives him such a good 
appetite,” grinned Raymond. He says that 
it makes our plain soldier-fare taste like 
the tongue of a humming-bird stewed in 
nectar.” 

“ Isn’t the grub something fierce this year? ” 
demanded Rafferty. 

No worse than usual, old man,” soothed 
Stirling. You’re just off your feed a bit.” 

^ ^ But we can predict weeks ahead what we ’re 
going to have each day,” complained Rafferty, 
and then falling into a sing-song metre, some- 
what suggestive of a well-known nursery bal- 
lad, he gave voice to the following bill-of- 
fare : 


98 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


. Biscuits on Monday: 

Beefsteak on Tuesday: 

Same again Wednesday: 

Hash and eggs Thursday: 

Fish comes on Friday: 

Sausage on Saturday: 

Ham and eggs Sunday: 

Ditto all the year! ’’ 

Both boys laughed at the too-familiar itera- 
tion, but Raymond put in a good word for the 
commissary to the effect that if Thanksgiving, 
Christmas and New Yearns came every day no 
one would ever graduate at West Point. 

That^s so,’^ agreed Stirling, for we all 
get perfectly torpid after such hearty meals, 
and ask nothing better than to ‘ sleep the golden 
hours away,’ as the Chaplain puts it.” 

And how the ghost of that turkey always 
gobbles next morning in the section-room,” 
laughed Raymond. 

But Rafferty refused to be diverted, and with 
a little shudder of disgust continued his seem- 
ingly endless jeremiad : 

Before coming to West Point I couldn’t 
understand what Shakespeare meant by the 
winter of our discontent, but now I loathe the 


GRAY DAYS IN BARRACKS 


99 


very sound of winter, for it always so foggy 
and gloomy here and we see so few people ex- 
cept officers and cadets that it’s just like one 
long night from the first of November to the 
first of April. And not a night of dreamless 
sleep, but a nightmare existence of unbroken 
work where we rise an hour before reveille, cut 
meals, run lights after ^ Taps,’ and go without 
all but compulsory exercise to grind — grind — 
grind ! Why, I eat mathematically, I walk 
mathematically, I — I brush my teeth mathe- 
matically. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ I know what you mean, ’ ’ sympathized Ray- 
mond, for since I’ve been ‘ boning ’ so fiercely 
on ‘ Math ’ this year those puzzling parabolas, 
hyperbolas, and ellipses seem almost a part of 
my very self. They are actually written on my 
brain in lines of fire never to be forgotten.” 

Too bad you can’t convince the instructor 
of that ! ’ ’ mocked Stirling with a good-natured 
wink at his room-mate. ‘ ^ And then to refer to 
your brain in that ostentatious way when Raf- 
ferty and I, like Old Father William, are per- 
fectly sure we have none! ” 

But Rafferty only frowned. 


100 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

lUs no use trying to joke me into a good 
humor, Stirling. I tell you I^m so sick of the 
whole business that I Ve quite made up my mind 
to resign and end it all. ’ ’ 

Jack was startled. 

That^s no way for a soldier to talk, Raf- 
ferty. ’ ’ 

But we’re not soldiers. Jack, nor officers, 
either. Not fish nor flesh nor good red her- 
ring. ’ ’ 

Oh, but you’re mistaken, Micky. You’ve 
been on the active list ever since you took the 
final oath of office in plebe year. And, accord- 
ing to a late decision of the Supreme Court, 
that warrant makes you available for service at 
the front in case of war. Just think, Rafferty, 
the Corps could be ordered to the firing-line 
any day our country needed it ! ” 

Then the Superintendent shouldn’t treat 
us like naughty little schoolboys I Why, to re- 
turn to this dull hole from furlough must be 
like — like putting a genii of the Arabian Nights 
back into his vase after a taste of liberty.” 

‘ ^ Count your marcies, Mick, count your mar- 
cies,” flashed Raymond. “ What about your 


GRAY DAYS IN BARRACKS 101 


ending the year with no demerits ? What about 
your passing the dreaded examinations so well ? 
What about your gain of five files in general 
standing over the June ^ exams? ’ 

Don’t mention examinations,” groaned 
Rafferty, nor grades, nor general standing, 
nor anything that smacks of this eternal grind. 
If there could only be a little let-up to the work. 
But no ! As the Corps says, we have two vaca- 
tions a year, one when we vacate barracks for 
camp, and the other when we vacate camp for 
barracks.” 

If we didn’t have any discipline and re- 
strictions, Rafferty, West Point would soon 
become like the fabled court of King Petaud, 
where all the subjects equalled the monarch in 
rank,” reminded Stirling. 

And, after all, there’s lots of fun salted in.” 
Raymond moved his chair close to Rafferty’s as 
he spoke. Take the New Year’s cotillion, for 
example. You had a fine time then! ” 

Yes, it might have been worse,” acknowl- 
edged Rafferty, and then added, more gloomily 
still : ‘ ‘ But on my word, when the drums beat 
at twelve o’clock and the first class all shouted. 


102 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


‘ This is the year we graduate,’ I couldn’t help 
feeling depressed that my own freedom was so 
far away ! ’ ’ 

What? With furlough ahead of you! ” 
cried both boys in the same breath, and before 
Jack could continue, Raymond, the one-time 
pessimist, went on: 

And, Mick, according to all the signs you’re 
one of the coming corporals of the class.” 

Rafferty showed a slight return of inter- 
est. 

Well, I must confess that I’m not averse 
to chevrons or the privileges they give one, 
but,” with a futile attempt at gloom, “ unlike 
Tim Croghan or Billy Mead, I can’t hope for 
anything better than a corporal’s chevrons.” 

Nothing better! ” Stirling echoed. Noth- 
ing better! Why, Mick, you’re ‘ insatiable of 
glory,’ and only two short summers ago you 
couldn’t so much as handle a rifle! ” 

Mick ” laughed outright. 

I don’t suppose there ever was a plebe 
more gross than I, while now — ” 

Yes, now it looks as if you’d be the ranking 
corporal of the class.” 


GRAY DAYS IN BARRACKS 103 


Does modesty forbid you to name the man 
responsible, Jack? 

Stirling grinned good-naturedly. 

Then youVe forgiven me for drilling you 
so hard in plebe camp, Mick? You remember 
there was a time you had it in for me? And 
as Rafferty nodded a shamefaced acquiescence : 

Well, old man, it’s only a matter of perspec- 
tive after all, and when you come to graduate 
you’ll forgive — and forget — a lot more than 
that. But remember you’re to graduate, Mick, 
and not resign. You’re to prove that you’ve 
grit enough to stay at the Academy until you 
leave it with shoulder-straps. As Sergeant 
Donnelly once wrote me: ^ If you’re going to 
fail, fail on the firing-line. And if your car- 
tridges give out, use the butt of your rifie, and 
if your rifle gets knocked out of your hand, just 
use your fists, but fight to the last gasp! ’ ” 
Rafferty sprang to his feet, his eyes shining 
with excitement. 

I’ll do it. Jack,” he cried, “I’ll do it as 
sure as my name’s — not Mick! ” 


CHAPTER EIGHT 


MR. DODD MAKES TROUBLE 

By the last of January the second class began 
to watch the signs which foretell the coming 
cadet officers, those lucky men who will wear 
the insignia of rank in first class camp, the 
pleasures of which are necessarily much en- 
hanced by such appointments, and when the 
cadet sergeants were first put in command of 
the guard, which always happens about the 
middle of February, they underwent something 
akin to stage-fright as they faced about to give 
their first orders. 

Among those who went through the ordeal 
creditably, if not comfortably, was John Ray- 
mond of Missouri, the nervous, absent-minded 
‘‘ Mizzoo ’’ of two years before, and many a 
first classman intimated that in his opinion 
Raymond was the stuff out of which to make 
the coming first captain; for he went through 
week after week with no demerits, and this not- 
withstanding that those wearing chevrons are 
104 


MR. DODD MAKES TROUBLE 105 


held accountable, not only for their own mili- 
tary sins, but for many sins of those under 
them, whether those sins are of omission or 
commission. 

You’re getting to be as soldierly in your 
tendencies as Jack himself,” Riggs had teased 
one day, but Raymond, while flattered by the 
compliment, disclaimed it instantly, declaring 
that Jack was in a class by himself. 

He doesn’t even wake up at reveille like 
the rest of us, Riggs, but bounds out of bed at 
the first tap of the drum, as if he’d been listen- 
ing for it, and with no more thought of the 
famous forty winks we ‘ vets ’ learn to take 
between drums than the veriest plebe. Every 
morning before my eyes are half-open, there 
he is, partly dressed, splashing the water in 
his basin, and so cheerfully wide awake that 
it makes me cross to look at him. And I’ve yet 
to see him so much as button his coat after leav- 
ing the room, though I do most of my dressing 
on the way down-stairs.” 

Riggs nodded a pained acquiescence to this 
plebe-like thoroughness, and then in excuse for 
his friend : 


106 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

But you know, Mizzoo, poor Jack isn’t 
really responsible, for in all charity one should 
take into account the fact that he’s been getting 
up with the reveille gun since he was a little 
chap in short dresses, and for the same regret- 
table reason he knows just how long it will take 
nim to do any given thing. Oh, Stirling’s more 
to be pitied than blamed, and under different 
conditions, I’ve no doubt he might have rivalled 
my method of getting down to roll call in the 
morning, for I swear half the time I slip my 
bare feet into a big pair of ‘ reveilles,’ pull on 
a uniform over my night-clothes, fall down the 
stairs and answer ‘ Here ! ’ to my name with- 
out so much as missing a punctuation mark 
in whatever I may be dreaming at the mo- 
ment.” 

Yes, Stirling was the most hopelessly-mili- 
tary cadet of his time, but John Raymond ran 
him a close second, and with the coming in of 
the spring drills, when after the long winter’s 
rest most of the Corps were very gross,” 
both men felt all the veteran’s disgust at the 
raggedness of the lines, those small irregulari- 
ties which only experienced eyes detect each 


MR. DODD MAKES TROUBLE 107 


year; and although Lieutenant Thaddeus Jones 
still evinced a rooted objection to place 
rests, ^ ’ they made no complaint, and each night, 
in common, slept a regular old plebe-camp sleep 
in consequence of being so tired. 

But unfortunately for Raymond, he found 
that with the coming in of the drills demerits 
and confinements, due entirely to his position 
ns sergeant, were piling up on him at a rate 
which threatened not only his future ambitions 
but his present chevrons as well. 

Sydney Dodd, in particular, an obstreperous 
private of the first class, gave Raymond untold 
trouble at every formation. Sometimes it al- 
most seemed as if he were trying to harass 
and annoy the first sergeant, and then again 
Raymond felt he was mistaken in his estimate 
of Dodd, and that he was just another Riggs, 
careless, good-natured, and rather B. J. for all 
his years at the Academy. 

Many a time that spring John Raymond 
strained his official conscience by looking as late 
as possible towards the end of the company 
where big Sydney Dodd slouched lazily into 
place ; for according to cadet traditions a first 


108 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


classman has certain privileges, one of which 
is to fall into ranks with less haste than is 
required of a plebe or yearling, and seldom is 
the privilege abused, the first classman under- 
standing the trouble it would make for second 
class officers, who in their desire not to report 
first classmen unnecessarily, would themselves 
get reported for inattention to duty. 

But John Raymond, every inch a soldier, had 
views of his own on the subject, and often found 
it hard work not to jump ” Dodd in ranks, 
but he restrained himself until at last, driven 
desperate by several reports turned in against 
him by the officer in charge, he looked up the 
first classman, and in the friendliest way in the 
world presented the case to him. 

‘‘You see, old man,’^ he wound up, “ your 
falling into ranks late gets me into no end of 
difficulties. Several times IVe been reported, 
and only this morning the ‘ Com ’ intimated 
that if I couldn’t keep better discipline in the 
company I’d have to be ‘ busted! ’ ” 

Instinctively Dodd smiled at the thought of 
the dapper and correct little Commandant using 
such language, and Raymond, relieved by the 


MR. DODD MAKES TROUBLE 109 


apparent friendliness of the smile, hnrried on 
more confidently: 

I knew you’d understand, Dodd. It’s a 
beastly position to be in, but rather than lose 
my chevrons — ” 

Dodd’s smile curled suddenly into a sneer. 

Well, and what would you do rather than 
lose your chevrons? ” 

Raymond reddened. 

Why, I suppose I’d have to report you, 
Dodd.” 

So! ” interjected that gentleman pleas- 
antly: Chevrons mean more to you than the 

friendship of the first class, eh? ” 

Raymond started. 

Really, Dodd, I don’t see that they have 
any possible connection. I thought when you 
realized that your falling into ranks late was 
threatening my position as first sergeant, you’d 
help me out a bit by being more prompt, in 
the same way that I’ve saved you from getting 
numberless demerits even when it meant being 
reported myself for negligence.” 

The sneer on Dodd’s face darkened into a 
frown. 


110 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


So you’re threatening to report me, are 
you? ” he thundered. ‘‘ Well, you’ll do it at 
your own risk then, for the whole first class will 
stand by me in the matter. See if it doesn’t! ” 
Raymond looked steadily into his opponent’s 
eyes. 

First class or not, Dodd, I’m going to do 
my duty, and I’ll not risk my chevrons again 
on a man who deserves it as little as you do 1 ” 
Dodd trembled with rage. 

How dare you threaten me, Mr. Ray- 
mond? ” 

I^m not threatening you, Mr. Dodii. I only 
mean to say that the next time you fail to fall 
into ranks promptly I shall report you, a thing 
I should have done long ago in all conscience.” 
Mr. Dodd bristled still more fiercely. 

If you’ve got it in for me, as you acknowl- 
edge you have, why not fight it out, man to 
man? ” 

‘‘ Because this is not a personal matter to 
be settled with our fists, Mr. Dodd. It’s an 
official matter, and if you, as a private, do not 
do your duty properly, I, as a sergeant, will 
report you.” 


MR. DODD MAKES TROUBLE 111 


Then you absolutely decline to fight me? 

Absolutely, unless you can trump up some 
other excuse for a fight. 

The first classman could scarcely believe his 
ears, but he drew himself up to his splendid 
six foot, two and a half, and glared into Ray- 
mond's eyes, much as he would have glared 
into the plebe’s eyes three short years before. 

‘‘ You will kindly consider yourself on olfi- 
cial terms with me in the future, Mr. Ray- 
mond.’^ 

Raymond’s lips tightened. He saw nothing 
laughable in the other’s mock-heroics, and to 
a man of his temperament it was really tragic 
to he on official terms with any one, notwith- 
standing which he answered curtly : 

Very well, Mr. Dodd,” and the first class- 
man never dreamed how much it cost the cadet 
sergeant to walk away without a word of pro- 
test. 

For a week or more nothing of importance 
happened, unless it was that friends of Dodd’s 
in the first class began to look a little askance 
on Raymond. Not that Dodd tried to influence 
his friends against Raymond. Mercy, no ! 


112 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

Neither did he tell them anything that was not 
strictly true in regard to the first sergeant. 
But it became generally known that Raymond 
had refused to fight Dodd, and, moreover, that 
he had threatened to report him if he got a 
chance, both perfectly truthful statements, al- 
though somewhat ambiguous. 

As in the Articles of War the offense of duel- 
ling, or fighting with deadly weapons, consists 
in the challenge to fight, and according to law 

the crime is complete on the delivery of the 
challenge,” so at the Academy the offense of 
fist-fighting is greatly augmented if prear- 
ranged. Notwithstanding which in those old 
days challenges to meet on the field of 
honor ” were of frequent occurrence in bar- 
racks or camp, and the man who refused to give 
his opponent pugilistic satisfaction was looked 
upon by the whole Corps as white-livered and 
cowardly. 

Therefore when the rumor spread that Ray- 
mond had not only refused to fight Dodd, but 
that he had threatened to get even with him 
officially at the#, first possible opportunity, 
tongues wagged from reveille to taps, for 


MR. DODD MAKES TROUBLE 113 

Dodd, “ without sneering, others taught to 
sneer/’ 

When ‘‘ Cupid ” Burnham, one of the rank- 
ing cadet captains of the Corps, first heard the 
news he went at once to Dodd’s quarters. 

‘‘ What’s this I’m told about Kaymond? ” 
he demanded in his abrupt way. Is it true 
that he refused to fight you when challenged ? ’ ’ 
That’s just what he did,” assented Dodd. 
And he really threatened to take it out of 
your hide officially at the first opportunity? ” 
He said that he’d report me the next time 
he got a chance.” 

‘ ‘ Cupid ’ ’ whistled long and reflectively. At 
last he spoke: 

I’ve always said that a man who’d use his 
authority to cover up spite work should be 
drummed out of the Corps, but that Eaymond 
— Eaymond of all fellows — ” he paused and 
then went on abruptly: Oh, pshaw! I can’t 
believe it, old chap. You must be mistaken.” 

Dodd looked as injured as he felt, and Burn- 
ham interjected a hasty: 

‘ ‘ Of course I don ’t meam to intimate that 
you’re willfully mistaken, Sydney, just that you 


114 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


might have misunderstood Raymond, for he^s 
not only very military in all his dealings, but 
absolutely unafraid. Why, don’t you remember 
that famous fight he and Connelly had in our 
yearling camp? ” 

I remember hearing that Connelly wiped 
up the ground with him, though I wasn’t pres- 
ent myself, owing to a previous engagement 
with the authorities. ’ ’ 

Burnham glowed reminiscently. 

‘ ‘ It was a bully fight, Dodd, and even though 
Raymond was defeated, he was the hero of the 
occasion. You see, from the beginning he was 
badly outclassed, a fact that had escaped the 
attention of those arranging the fight, for both 
men were nearly of a size; but, as you remem- 
ber, Raymond was pretty spindling when he 
came here, with about as much muscle as you’d 
expect from a fellow who’d never exercised 
with anything heavier than a pen or pencil. 

It seems that Connelly had offended him 
in some way or other, for Raymond was awfully 
touchy in those early days, and, nothing would 
do but a fight to the finish. Some one sug- 
gested a substitute from the class, for Con- 


MR. DODD MAKES TROUBLE 115 


nelly was a good boxer, though slight in build, 
but Raymond wouldnT consent. He wanted to 
fight Connelly himself, he said, and nothing 
else would satisfy him. 

‘ ‘ So, after a lot of palavering back and forth, 
the fight came off, and shades of old West Point, 
if that plucky little plebe didnT get the worst 
licking you ever saw ! But game ! Gee, I can 
see him now staggering to his feet time and 
again after what looked like a knock-out blow, 
and wiping the blood from his nose, groggy 
as you please, but full of ginger; and even 
though badly defeated in the last round he was 
cheered to the echo. I remember old Connelly 
walking up to him and saying in that grandilo- 
quent way of his : 

^ It^s been an honor to have so worthy a 
foeman, Mr. Raymond. I trust, sir, that you 
are satisfied with the outcome of our little dif- 
ference? ’ And Raymond, forcing his swollen 
lips into a grin, put out a grimy paw and shook 
hands. 

Dodd shufiled his feet uncomfortably. 

lUs not the first time that chevrons have 
spoiled a good fellow, Burnham.’^ 


116 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


No, and yet I can’t believe that Raymond 
could be guilty of anything so despicable as to 
draw his rank on any one in a personal matter. ’ ’ 
That’s exactly what he did, though,” and 
to Dodd’s credit it must be acknowledged that 
he thought he was telling the truth. 

Burnham shrugged his shoulders. 

‘‘ I confess that it’s almost beyond me, old 
fellow, but if I were in your place I’d send 
Raymond a written challenge. At least that 
might bring him to his senses,” and Cupid ” 
Burnham walked away, eyes narrowed in 
thought and lips compressed, but ever before 
his mental vision a picture of Raymond as he 
appeared in that historic fight so long ago, a 
slender little plebe, outclassed in everything 
but grit and stamina. 



CHAPTER NESTE 


CUT BY THE FIKST CLASS 

The next day, as the Corps left the Mess 
Hall after its noon dinner, Sydney Dodd, in- 
stead of falling into ranks promptly, loitered 
near the steps. Any one would have known 
from his expression that the delay was inad- 
vertent. He was deeply absorbed in his 
thoughts, that was all, and for the moment had 
forgotten Raymond's vow of vengeance against 
him. 

But strangely enough Raymond did not ap- 
pear to notice the opportunity oifered for re- 
prisal. That is, at first. He kept his head 
turned away and busied himself with other 
matters. Still Dodd lingered. Finally Ray- 
mond glanced in his direction, as if by accident, 
and caught Dodd challenging him through con- 
temptuously-narrowed lids. 

Raymond clenched his hands, breathing hard. 

Mr. Dodd! 


117 


118 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

The tone was sharp, but Mr. Dodd evidently 
failed to hear. He was looking out over the 
Hudson now, as if entranced with its beauty, 
and oblivious to everything else, for his was a 
poetic soul. 

Again Raymond spoke : 

“ Mr. Dodd, get into ranks at once, sir! 

Even the imperturbable Dodd started at the 
severity of this command, and several first 
classmen exchanged meaning glances. The 
cadet sergeant might have been addressing a 
plebe, and a B. plebe, at that, rather than 
a man soon to graduate from the Academy. 
Mr. Dodd, of course, obeyed with alacrity, but 
his manner indicated as plainly as words that 
he was at a loss to understand why the first 
sergeant should have picked him out for such 
special notice, and on returning to barracks he 
surrounded himself with a group of cronies, 
loud in their denunciation of the underhanded 
methods of certain second classmen, who, be- 
cause of their chevrons, treated first class pri- 
vates like so many plebes. 

‘‘ I wouldn’t have believed it of Raymond 
if I hadn’t heard it with my own ears,” de- 


CUT BY THE FIRST CLASS 119 


dared ^ ‘ Cupid ’ ’ Burnham. ‘ ‘ He simply went 
out of his way to reprimand Dodd, and his 
manner was most insulting. 

Did you know that he refused to fight? ’’ 
put in another first dassman. 

‘‘ Ajid that he threatened to get even with 
Sydney officially? ’’ 

Drew his rank on him, if you please! ’’ 

‘‘ But I canT understand it,’’ objected Con- 
nelly. “ He’s the most fearless chap I ever 
knew, and square as they make ’em. Why did 
he refuse to fight? ” 

‘‘ He hid behind his chevrons, I tell you.” 
This from little Stanshury. 

Oh, that’s impossible.” 

But it’s just what he did, Connelly. I^had 
the story from Dodd himself.” 

“ And what does Raymond say about it? 
There are always two sides to a controversy, 
you know.” 

Raymond says that he won’t fight Dodd.” 

But why? ” 

Afraid, I suppose.” 

Afraid? ” echoed Connelly. But he’s 
one of the most athletic men in the Corps now. 


120 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


and even as a plebe, — and a skinny, narrow- 
shonldered plebe, at that, — he wasnT afraid 
to fight. Yon remember how plucky he was in 
that scrap we had in yearling camp, and 
later — ’’ 

“ Oh, later he was made a corporal, and it 
ruined him, that^s all.’’ 

He takes his chevrons too seriously.” 

He’s a little brother to the Tactical De- 
partment! ” 

The Superintendent’s pet! ” 

The Commandant’s ally! ” 

So the tongues wagged, and that night they 
wagged even faster, for Raymond’s threatened 
report against Dodd was read out at parade. 
It created a distinct sensation, a sensation that 
grew to Brobdingnagian proportions when at 
the after-breakfast formation next morning, 
Sydney Dodd, who under regulations could not 
say anything about the report, walked up to 
Raymond, while Raymond was on duty, and 
deliberately struck him in the face. 

For a moment the hot-tempered Missourian, 
swift to resent an insult, was for striking back. 
Then the training of three years told, and after 



THE FIRST CLASSMAN WAITED, ARMS FOLDED, TO SEE WHAT 

RAYMOND WOULD DO ’’ 



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CUT BY THE FIRST CLASS 


121 


a miglity struggle the cadet sergeant on duty 
was in command, and Raymond, the civilian, 
stepped aside. 

The first classman waited, arms folded, to 
see what Raymond would do. 

Well,’’ he taunted at last, you’ll sneak 
out of fighting a second time, will you? You’ll 
go to the Commandant and tattle on me again? 
You’ll run to ‘ Teacher ’ and tell him that 
Johnny Jones slapped you? ” 

‘‘I’m going to report you, if that’s what you 
mean, Mr. Dodd, ’ ’ Raymond returned, his hands 
twitching to get at the first classman. 

Dodd laughed disagreeably. 

“ We’re near enough of a size to need no 
substitute from either class,” he insinuated, 
“ unless Mr. Raymond has scruples against 
fighting any one not wearing chevrons ? ’ ’ 
Raymond’s jaw clenched fiercely. 

“ You know that I have to report you for 
hitting me on duty, Mr. Dodd. It is a military 
otfense just as the other was, but as I said 
before I can, and gladly will, give you satis- 
faction on any other charge you can trump up 
— the color of my hair, perhaps? Or the fit 


122 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


of my dress-coat? Possibly you object to the 
shape of my nose? But whatever it may be, 
you will present the challenge, Mr. Dodd, at the 
proper time and in the proper manner. Mean- 
while, sir, get into ranks without further de- 
lay,” and the cadet sergeant marched with his 
company back to barracks, giving no outward 
indication of the conflicting emotions stirring 
behind his well-polished bell-buttons. 

As might have been expected, Sydney Dodd 
was straightway placed in arrest, and all of 
the second class agreed with Raymond that so 
grave a breach of military discipline should 
have been settled by the authorities and not 

on the field of honor,” as was customary in 
the event of a personal misunderstanding. 

But strangely enough most of the first class 
stood by Dodd, and openly averred that Ray- 
mond should not have reported him in either 
instance, that it was a case of unjust discrim- 
ination on the part of the first sergeant; and 
this although the court-martial following close 
on the heels of Dodd’s arrest not only upheld 
Raymond’s view of the situation, but in addi- 
tion decreed that Mr. Dodd should be sentenced 


CUT BY THE FIRST CLASS 123 


to light prison for the rest of the year, and, 
worse still, that he should not graduate with 
his class, but should be confined to the limits 
of the encampment all summer, thus depriving 
him of his graduating leave, and holding back 
his diploma until the last of August. 

Never in the memory of the Corps had a 
cadet been sentenced so severely, and almost 
immediately trouble began to brew between the 
two classes because of it, the first class officers 
making it hot ’’ for Raymond and his friends ; 
for although they would have scorned to admit 
such a thing, many reports turned in against 
the second class that spring were undoubtedly 
prompted by the existing bad feeling; and, on 
the other hand, many second classmen, less 
military than they should have been, retaliated, 
so that the last few weeks together promised to 
be anything but pleasant. 

To a man of Raymond’s temperament it was 
particularly galling to be cut by the first class. 
Up to that time he had been a great favorite 
with it, upholding as he did all the fine tradi- 
tions of the Academy, which meant setting an 
example to the plebes and yearlings of square 


124 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


dealing in every particular and refraining from 
all petty pranks, while now because of those 
very traits which had endeared him to the Corps 
he must suffer ostracism from men who had 
heretofore been his staunchest allies. 

‘‘ Why, Jack, I’d have done the same thing 
if you had been in Sydney Dodd’s place,” Ray- 
mond told his bosom-friend one day, as they 
stood side by side in their tower-room looking 
out over the parade ground, which had been 
converted into a veritable bog by a recent rain. 
Although the first fury of the storm was over, 
the earth seemed quivering with suppressed 
sobs like a child that cries itself to sleep and 
still whimpers in its dreams. The street below 
was an ocean of liquid mud, and from every 
possible projection impromptu waterfalls 
dashed down to join the yellow sea of gutter 
and sidewalk. 

Jack threw an arm around Raymond’s shoul- 
der. 

Tiiere’s not a fellow in the class but thinks 
you’ve done right, old man, yet even if we were 
all against you — ’ ’ 

‘‘ Yes, even then I’d do the same thing. Jack, 


CUT BY THE FIRST CLASS 


125 


for at West Point we’re pledged to perform 
our duty no matter what the consequences may 
be.” 

‘ ‘ In my opinion it would have been no better 
than bootlicking, Mizzoo, to have spared Syd- 
ney — er, I mean Mr, Dodd — simply because 
he happened to be a first classman. ’ ’ 

That’s what I feel, Jack, for, according to 
my understanding of West Point customs, a 
first class private stands no higher than a plebe 
in ranks, and should be subject to the same 
discipline. ’ ’ 

Granted that he needs it as badly.” 

“ Of course ! ” 

‘ ‘ And to acknowledge any difference between 
them is as bad as knuckling down to some 
chap in the Corps because of his social posi- 
tion. ’ ’ 

Raymond straightened up right valiantly. 

I’ll tell you what it is. Jack, I’m glad I did 
it even if it costs me the friendship of the 
entire Corps, for at least I’m friends with my- 
self now.” 

And to be on bad terms with one’s self is 
even worse than to be on bad terms with one’s 


126 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


neighbor, Mizzoo, for a guilty conscience is 
bound to make a poor bunkey. ’ ’ 

Both boys laughed in an awkward endeavor 
to hide their real feelings, and a moment later 
they were swinging off to the Mess Hall for 
supper, Graham, the first captain, double- 
timing ’’ the battalion till it sounded for all the 
world like some gigantic footfall, instead of 
three hundred cadets keeping perfect step on 
the run. 



CHAPTER TEN 


THE EIGHT 

‘‘I’d call Mr. Raymond’s bluff, Dodd.” 

“ But I tell you be refuses to fight. Twice 
now I’ve challenged him, and twice he’s re- 
fused.” 

Warner, Dodd’s best friend in the class, was 
nothing if not judicial. 

“ As I understand it, Sydney, he only refuses 
to fight about what he considers an official mat- 
ter. So take him at his word and object to the 
shape of his nose or the color of his hair. Write 
him a properly- worded challenge and I’ll de- 
liver it in person.” 

Dodd laughed unpleasantly. 

“ He’d squirm out of it some way, and prob- 
ably report me for challenging him.” 

“ And what if he does squirm out of it, Syd- 
ney? And what if he reports you? Challenge 
him anyway! ” 

“ But, heavens, Warner, if I get reported 
127 


128 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


again there no punishment left but dismis- 
sal. The authorities have used up all their 
other ammunition.’’ Dodd’s tone was bit- 
ter. 

Warner reddened slowly. 

The class is beginning to take sides in the 
matter, Sydney.” 

What do you mean*? ” 

That some of the men who used to sym- 
pathize with you are beginning to say Ray- 
mond — that is, Mr. Raymond — was right, as 
in the final analysis he was but following out 
what our class taught him his first few months 
at the Academy — the expectation of prompt 
obedience to orders, you know, and the courage 
to report a first classman as well as a plebe 
for infractions of discipline.” 

They seem to forget that he refused to 
fight,” snorted Dodd. 

But, Sydney, they say now it’s up to you 
to send him a challenge that has nothing to 
do with the military side of the controversy, 
and see if he still refuses.” 

But I don’t want to fight about the color of 
his hair or the shape of his nose.” 


THE EIGHT 


129 


‘‘ Which puts you in the same position you 
scorn Kaymond for ! ’ ’ 

What are you driving at? Dodd’s voice 
shook with anger. 

‘‘ Now, don’t go off half-cocked, old man. 
You see, that fight with Connelly in plebe camp 
gave Mizzoo — I mean Mr. Eaymond — no end 
of reputation with every one who saw it. They 
say he’s clear grit, through and through; that 
he had a perfect right to refuse to give you 
satisfaction about an official matter; and that 
it’s up to you to challenge him on something 
he’ll fight about.” 

Dodd’s handsome face fell into sullen lines. 
And I utterly refuse to challenge him on 
anything so absurd as the cut of his coat, or 
the color of his hair. It was insulting of him 
to make such a proposition! ” 

Warner brought his clenched hands together 
sharply. 

‘‘ Then challenge him for making the propo- 
sition,” he cried. You just said it was insult- 
ing. Challenge him for anything, Dodd, but call 
his bluff before the class calls yours! ” 

Dodd looked up, startled. 


130 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Why, Warner, the class doesn’t think that 
Vm bluffing — that /’m afraid, does itf ” 

‘‘ Well, not exactly, old man, but — ” 

“ Tell me the worst, Warner.” 

Just that the class, as a whole, isn’t stand- 
ing by you any more. A lot of the fellows say 
you must shoot or give up the gun.” 

Oh, I’ll challenge Mr. Raymond again, if 
that’s what you mean. I’m not afraid to fight 
him. ’ ’ 

Yes, and challenge him along lines he’ll 
have to accept.” 

‘‘ It will probably mean my dismissal from 
the Academy.” 

Warner surveyed his friend somewhat coldly. 

If Mr. Raymond didn’t report you for chal- 
lenging him when on duty, you may be sure that 
he’ll not report you for a challenge on purely 
personal grounds.” 

^ ‘ And even if he should — ’ ’ boasted Dodd, 
once more upon his mettle. 

‘‘Well spoken, Sydney,” approved Warner. 
“ At least you will have done the right 
thing! ” 

And so it happened the next evening that 


THE FIGHT 


131 


Raymond received a properly- written challenge 
from Dodd, a challenge which completely ig- 
nored the military side of the controversy. This 
was promptly accepted, and, according to the 
custom of those old days, each principal chose 
a second, and the seconds decided on a referee 
and timekeeper. An hour before reveille next 
morning the six men met in an unoccupied room 
in barracks, and after a perfunctory hand- 
shake between the principals the fight was 
on. 

By the middle of the second round the few 
spectators felt that they were witnessing a 
‘‘ scrap destined to go down in the annals of 
the Academy, for never were two opponents 
better matched in brain and brawn than were 
Dodd and Raymond. And how they fought! 
At the end of each round they had literally to 
be pried apart, and at the magic word ‘ ‘ time ’ ’ 
they rushed at each other with renewed delight 
in the confiict. 

Once Dodd pushed Raymond almost across 
the chalk marks of their ring, lost his balance, 
and was in turn pushed back again. Several 
times Raymond, triumphant, breathing hard. 


132 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


stood over the prostrate Dodd, and the next 
moment Dodd would be the victor, smiling 
grimly as Raymond got to his feet and joyfully 
returned to the attack. 

G-reat style ! ” whispered the referee to the 
timekeeper. 

Fine footwork,’’ returned the other, eyeing 
his watch. 

In the middle of the ninth round Dodd’s blows 
became more effective. It was apparent that 
he wanted the fight to end. Raymond swayed 
for a moment under a particularly telling shot, 
and then quite unexpectedly came back at his 
opponent with a left-handed uppercut which 
sent Dodd to his knees. Slowly, very slowly, 
he toppled over until his shoulders touched the 
fioor. The timekeeper began to count. At six 
Dodd made an effort to rise. Raymond watched 
his attempts with something bordering on atf ec- 
tion. 

^ ‘ Seven — eight — nine — ten! ” counted the 
timekeeper. 

Dodd struggled to his feet. 

I declare Mr. Dodd down and out,” an- 
nounced the referee. All over, gentlemen.” 



RAYMOND WATCHED HIS ATTEMPTS WITH SOMETHING BORDERING 


ON AFFECTION 








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THE FIGHT 


133 


Dodd, staggering slightly, looked surprised. 
Then, recovering himself, he put out a shaking 
hand. Eaymond grasped it heartily. 

‘‘I’m more than satisfied, Mizzoo,” mum- 
bled Dodd through swelling lips, “ even if you 
have licked the stuffing out of me.” 

Eaymond choked. 

“ You’re a real sport, Sydney, and the dandi- 
est scrapper I was ever up against. ’ ’ 

Maybury of the first class, who had studied 
medicine before entering West Point, took 
charge of Eaymond ’s case in barracks, but 
Dodd found it necessary to go to the hospital 
for repairs, and the doctor in charge, having 
brought up a family of boys, asked no embar- 
rassing questions. There Eaymond visited him 
frequently, a somewhat bruised and battered 
Eaymond with discolored eyes and a one-sided 
smile, but a most welcome caller to Dodd in 
his loneliness; for, as often happens, a newer, 
better friendship sprang up between the two 
after their misunderstanding had been fought 
out. 

“It’s awfully hard to think of your not grad- 
uating with the class,” Eaymond had ventured 


134 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


on his last visit to the hospital. But Dodd 
silenced him with a gruff : 

Cut it out, Mizzoo. I deserve all thaUs 
coming to me — and then some ! ’ ’ 

Well, I’m not so sure of that, Dodd. I 
think the Superintendent took a more serious 
view of the affair than he need have done.” 

Dodd lifted his bandaged head from the pil- 
low. 

‘‘ Look here, Raymond, I’ve had a lot of time 
to think things over these last few days in the 
hospital, and it’s come to me pretty clearly that 
an officer of the army should work for his coun- 
try primarily and himself secondarily.” 
Raymond looked puzzled. 

«« Why, of course, Dodd! ” 

‘‘ Then doesn’t it follow that we should do 
our duty as soldiers whether we like the men 
in command or not? ” 

Naturally, but what has that to do with 
what we’re discussing? ” 

“ Everything! I didn’t like you, Mizzoo, and 
because I didn’t like you, I disobeyed orders. 
I didn’t like the ‘ Supe,’ and for the matter of 
that I don’t like him now, but he’s my superior 


THE FIGHT 


135 


officer and I’m going to carry out his orders 
to the best of my ability. And, Raymond, I’m 
really glad of the discipline of another camp, 
especially with such men as you and Stirling 
at the helm.” 

Raymond gripped the outstretched hand 
warmly in both of his. 

“ We’ll try to live up to your good opinion 
of us, Sydney, and I’m sure that we can make 
your summer fairly pleasant, even though you 
are confined to the limits of the encampment.” 
Then, with a boyish dislike for anything bor- 
dering on heroics, he changed the subject 
abruptly : 

I must tell you before I forget it, Dodd, 
about Jim Alger’s recitation in Mineralogy this 
morning. As you know, he’s bound to come 
out high at graduation because of his brilliant 
recitations, but though theoretically perfect 
he’s as impractical as a child.” 

“ Yes, Alger lacks that most uncommon thing 
in the world, common sense,” laughed Dodd. 

He might know a book from cover to cover 
and never be able to apply his knowledge of 
it. There’s a man like that in every class, I 


136 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


think. But what did he do this morning, Ray- 
mond? ” 

‘‘ Well, among other things, he picked up a 
specimen from the tray and proceeded to ex- 
plain why he thought it was cinnabar.’’ Ray- 
mond shook at the remembrance. ‘‘ I can hear 
him yet, piping up in that ridiculous treble of 
his : 

‘ Lieutenant, I have determined that this 
specimen is cinnabar because of its lustre and 
compactness. I know from the blowpipe test 
that it is not red oxide of iron or chromate of 
lead; and as it gave off no alliaceous fumes 
on charcoal I have determined that it cannot 
be realgar, which it somewhat resembles.’ ” 

Dodd was laughing now at Raymond’s in- 
imitable caricature of Alger’s manner in the 
section-room, so Raymond, well-pleased with his 
own histrionic powers, cleared his throat to 
indicate that the instructor, who seemed afflicted 
with a chronic cold, was about to take the 
floor. 

‘‘‘But — but, Mr. Alger,’” he mimicked, 
talking through his nose, “ ‘ are you not aware 
that the qualities you mention might belong to 


THE FIGHT 


137 


a number of other minerals beside cinnabar? 
And also that the color of the specimen in your 
hand would forever insure it against being mis- 
taken for that mineral? Now, Mr. Alger, what 
color is cinnabar? Red? Quite so — quite so! 
And what is the color of the specimen in your 
hand? Black? Exactly, Mr. Alger. And now 
that youVe determined by its color that it can- 
not possibly be cinnabar, what would you call 
it? No, no, don^t attempt to reason it out, Mr. 
Alger. Look at it, sir. Use your eyes. Forget 
what the book says for a moment, and tell me 
what you’d think that specimen was if you’d 
never studied mineralogy. What’s that? You’d 
think it was coal, if you didn’t know any better? 
Anthracite coal? Well, that’s exactly what it 
is, Mr. Alger, so next time use your eyes and 
try to forget what the book says. That will 
do, sir. That will do.’ ” 

Dodd shouted with laughter, and then as 
Raymond got to his feet: 

Don’t go yet, Mizzoo! ” 

Thanks, old man, but I’ve an eclipse to pre- 
dict in Astronomy to-morrow.” 

Wish you could stay for supper. They give 


138 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


ns no end of good things in this ward — steak 
— and salad — and strawberries — ’ ’ 

Raymond smacked his lips at the gastronomic 
alliteration. 

Reckon I’ll have to change doctors, Dodd, 
or else content myself with plain soldier-fare ! ” 



CHAPTER ELEVEN 


ADONIS JOINS HIS BEGIMENT 

That night in the Mess Hall, Raymond’s 
table was agog with the great news that Lieu- 
tenant Ward had been relieved from duty in 
the Tactical Department. 

He’s going to join his regiment at once,” 
affirmed Sprague of the first class, who was 
commandant ” of the table. 

‘‘ But what’s he been relieved for, Sprague? ” 
Nobody knows, Mizzoo. Last fall it might 
have been for inefficiency, hut now — ’ ’ 

“ Oh, there’s not a snappier ‘ tac ’ on the 
Point to-day than Adonis. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Gee ! But he braced up after the ‘ Silence ’ 
we gave him. Do you remember that only the 
next night he reported me for — ” 

Sorry to interrupt, Sprague, hut I was the 
first to come under his official displeasure,” 
boasted Leffingwell Bryce. “ It was at class- 
formation next morning that he jumped me, 
and — ” 


139 


140 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Oh, cut it short, Bryce, youVe told us a 
dozen times at least how it knocked the breath 
out of you.’’ 

‘‘ Almost as if a plebe had attempted to dis- 
cipline me,” went on Bryce, quite unconscious 
that Sprague had snubbed him. 

‘ ‘ But what gets me is how he can go hack to 
the regiment if that story Riggs heard is true. ’ ’ 
It was little Tim Croghan who spoke, help- 
ing himself the while to a liberal supply of 
butter. 

When you’re through with the axle-grease, 
pass what’s left of it to a starving comrade,” 
interposed a yearling at the end of the table, 
and then tentatively: ‘‘ I suppose you’ve no- 
ticed what good friends Grizzly and Adonis 
have become in the last few months? ” 

‘‘ Yes,” returned Croghan, and that friend- 
ship has gone a long way towards making me 
stomach Adonis.” 

‘‘ Old Grizzly wouldn’t stand for anything 
crooked even in a friend, ’ ’ boasted a third year- 
ling. 

And Adonis really isn’t so bad now that 
he’s stopped bootlicking.” 


ADONIS JOINS HIS REGIMENT 141 


I don’t believe, Sprague, that be bootlicked 
in the beginning, ’ ’ Raymond affirmed stoutly. 

Oh, come now, Mizzoo. It was the ‘ Si- 
lence ’ that brought him to his senses.” 

But you couldn’t change the fundamentals 
of a man’s character overnight. If he were a 
bootlick in the beginning, he’d be a bootlick 
now. He ’d always be a bootlick at heart. ’ ’ 

‘‘ But you’ll admit that he’s changed? ” Lef- 
fingwell Bryce insisted. 

‘ ^ And that the change came right after 
the ‘ Silence! ’ ” Sprague’s tone was trium- 
phant. 

“Yes, I admit all that. But I think the 
‘ Silence ’ had little or nothing to do with it. 
Neither do I believe that Adonis was lax in 
his methods in order to curry favor with the 
Corps. Sometimes I’ve almost thought — ” 
Raymond stopped abruptly, and Sprague, who 
was hanging on his words, leaned forward 
eagerly. 

“Yes, what have you thought, Mizzoo? ” 

“ It may sound absurd,” apologetically, 
“ but at times Adonis acted like a man who 
had been wrongfully accused himself, and who, 


142 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


in consequence, was afraid of accusing others 
without sufficient proof/’ 

Leffingwell Bryce finished his bread and mo- 
lasses at a gulp. 

Well, he’s bravely over any such sensitive- 
ness now, and his days in charge I avoid, if 
possible, even the appearance of evil.” 

‘‘ At first I almost thought he was taking it 
out on the Corps in retaliation for the ‘ Si- 
lence,’ ” Sprague observed. 

Yes, the skin-list grew to alarming propor- 
tions when he was on duty.” 

But principally because we didn’t expect 
him to ‘ hive ’ us,” observed Raymond, the 
judicial. 

‘ ^ And do you remember how Riggs, as room- 
orderly, tricked Adonis into reporting him for 
smoke in quarters by sprinkling cologne around 
just before inspection? ” asked a mischievous 
yearling. 

And how indignant we all were when he 
became as particular as Little Bright Eyes 
about rust or dust in the screw-head of a rifle? ” 
. ‘‘ And neglected to give us the customary 
‘ place rests ’ at drill? ” 


ADONIS JOINS HIS REGIMENT 143 


And aped Old Grizzly about the rifling of 
our guns! ’’ 

And positively out-sleuthed the Sleuth 
when it came to contraband articles in bar- 
racks? ’’ 

Everybody laughed indulgently, much as a 
fond father might laugh over the foibles of his 
favorite child. 

‘‘ His being relieved at this time of year is 
strange, though! ’’ 

You mean just before graduation, 
Sprague? 

“ Exactly.’’ 

“ They say that he hasn’t been back to the 
regiment for ten years.” 

Eiggs heard that the regiment wouldn’t 
have him,” volunteered little Bryce. 

‘‘ But he’s going back to it now! ” gloried 
Tim Croghan. 

Raymond caught his breath sharply. 

‘‘ Perhaps the regiment’s going into the 
field! It’s down in the southwest somewhere, 
and yesterday morning’s paper spoke of trouble 
with the Apaches, or rather with a renegade 
bunch of ’em down in that direction.” 


144 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Sprague’s black eyes sparkled with excite- 
ment. 

Wouldn’t it be wonderful luck if there 
should be an Indian campaign, and graduation 
just two months away? ” 

But your graduation-leave, Sprague? ” 

The first classman looked wdth astonishment 
at the yearling who had spoken. 

What do you think the country’s been edu- 
cating me for, son? To lead cotillions at Bar 
Harbor? ” 

^ ‘ Of course not, only — ’ ’ 

Only you think that after four years at 
West Point I deserve a little vacation? Well, 
my boy, if at the end of your own four years 
you find that with active service in prospect, 
you’d rather lallygag off to a summer resort 
than join your new regiment ahead of time, all 
I can say is resign at once and take up millinery 
as a profession! ” 

In the twenty minutes’ respite following the 
supper formation, Raymond joined Stirling on 
the Chapel steps. 

‘‘ Great news, Mizzoo! I just met the Com- 
mandant, and he says that Adonis’ troop takes 


ADONIS JOINS HIS REGIMENT 145 


the field next week. Adonis leaves this evening, 
I believe.’^ 

As Jack spoke, Lieutenant Ward, dressed in 
civilian clothes and carrying a suit-case, passed 
within a foot of the two hoys. They sprang 
to attention simultaneously. The young officer 
returned their salute somewhat stiffly, and 
walked on. For a breath Stirling hesitated. 
Then he caught Raymond by the arm. 

‘ ^ Let ^s say good-by to him, Mizzoo ! ’ ’ 

Raymond followed Jack’s lead, and in a mo- 
ment they had caught up with their superior 
officer. 

Lieutenant,” Jack began hesitatingly. 

Lieutenant, Mr. Raymond and I wish to con- 
gratulate you on the prospect of field service. 
We’re sorry to have you go, sir, for the sake 
of the Corps, but we’re glad for your own 
sake.” 

The young officer fell back a pace or two and 
looked from one hoy to the other. When he 
spoke his voice trembled slightly: 

' ^ Thank you, young gentlemen, for your kind 
wishes. They mean more to me than you will 
ever know! ” Then very quietly he shook 


146 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


hands and walked down the hill to the station, 
but Jack^s words still rang in his ears: We’re 
sorry to have you go, sir, for the sake of the 
Corps — ’ ’ 

Sorry for the sake of the Corps ! Thanks to 
the Commandant and Griswold he had made 
good at West Point, and now he was to have 
a chance to make good with the regiment. In 
time he might even live down that old scandal, 
but, in any event, he would no longer allow it 
to throw a shadow on his life. 



CHAPTER TWELVE 


AN UNPOPULAR ORDER 

Whether spring comes in as a lion or a lamb 
at West Point it is always welcome, no one 
taking into account the state of the weather, 
for though the ground may be covered with 
snow, and the winds be as cold and biting as 
in mid-winter, still there are but so many days 
to June, and as any old graduate knows, the 
checking otf of those days on the calendar bol- 
sters up spirits that might otherwise collapse 
under the continued signs of a never-ending 
academic year. 

Though spring gives no tangible evidence of 
its arrival, and the swallow keeps away, and 
the crocus fails to bud, still cadets know when 
the time is at hand, the earlier sunrises and 
longer twilights reminding them that June is 
approaching. Then comes that glorious morn- 
ing when the sun peeps over the eastern hills 
just as the Corps is forming to march back from 
147 


148 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


breakfast. How the cadets shout at sight of it 
each year, the prospective furloughmen being 
especially demonstrative, though there is small 
doubt but that the more dignified first classmen 
feel that reminder of the approach of June no 
less keenly. 

Another harbinger of spring, not dependent 
upon the weather, comes early in March, when 
the military and civilian outfitters pour in their 
price lists of furlough and graduating clothes, 
these to be followed by much discussion as to 
qualities of cloth, and the cut, style, finish, and 
fit of the garment ordered, for no one is more 
particular in these regards than is the young 
West Pointer. 

About the middle of May the tailors bring 
back the civilian clothes and the uniforms for 
a final fitting, and at last both are ready and 
carefully packed away, nor would the most care- 
less yearling think of putting on his furlough 
uniform except for some very grand occasion, 
as he naturally wishes it to retain that pristine 
gloss calculated to dazzle the eyes of the home- 
people, who, in many instances, have yet to see 
their kinsman metamorphosed by two years of 


AN UNPOPULAR ORDER 


149 


military training into an erect young soldier, 
very proud of his good carriage and trim waist. 

Spring stirs the blood of the Corps just as 
it stirs the sap in the trees, and thoughts blos- 
som into delightful plans for the coming sum- 
mer; the fourth classman dreaming of the day 
when he will shed his ^ ‘ plebeskin ^ ’ and go into 
yearling camp ; the yearling, in turn, half-crazy 
with delight at the approach of furlough; the 
second classman, standing on the brink of the 
last year, feeling the responsibilities as well as 
the glories of the camp ahead of him ; while the 
graduate realizes, perhaps for the first time. 
How dear the old Academy has grown, and feels 
an odd little catch in his throat at the near ap- 
proach of that epoch in his life when, after a 
few months of rest and pleasure, he will take 
up his career in good earnest and demonstrate 
the meaning of that four years’ course behind 
him. 

As early as the middle of April white trousers 
are sent to the laundry that they may be in 
readiness for June first, that wonderful day 
when the putting off of gray trousers seems to 
symbolize the putting off of gray days in bar- 


150 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


racks for sunlit days in camp; and as a cadet 
must always appear neat, every upper classman 
has from thirty to forty pairs of white trousers, 
these often descending from one class to an- 
other, in which case the waistband is apt to be 
covered with names, some of these being of 
graduates a decade or more away from the 
Academy. 

In fact little Riggs’ nether garments sported 
names that have made the Academy famous, 
including apocryphal signatures of Sherman, 
Sheridan, Grant, and Lee, Riggs always ex- 
plaining that in the years of washing, the gar- 
ments had shrunk to his diminutive proportions. 
That spring Tim Croghan had fallen heir to 
some of Riggs’ autographed pants,” and had 
shyly asked Jack and Raymond to add their 
signatures to the already famous collection, 
those particular second classmen ranking above 
the Superintendent himself in the eyes of many 
yearlings and plebes, so that when Croghan 
exhibited their names, in addition to those of 
Riggs and the distinguished general officers, he 
was the recipient of much good-natured envy 
from less fortunate classmates. 


AN UNPOPULAR ORDER 


151 


Ever since Hundredth Night, which is cele- 
brated each year by a dramatic performance 
given as nearly as possible one hundred days 
before graduation, the plebe carver at each 
table had been ordered to sound otf the 
number of days to June — as if there was a 
man in the Corps who couldn’t have told you 
to the second how near it was! — and on the 
thirty-first of May he was called on at supper, 
as well as at breakfast, to announce the good 
news. 

Ta-ble attention! ” piped the little plebe 
at the foot of Raymond’s table that last night 
in May, and then in his still childishly-high- 
pitched voice: No more days till June, sir! ” 

No more days till June! Raymond repeated 
it over and over to himself on the way back to 
barracks, as if he could scarcely believe that the 
summer was really at hand, the summer and 
first class camp ! 

But in the area he was met by an astonishing 
piece of news. Riggs stopped him to discuss 
it. Sylvester and Doolittle held him up with 
it on the stairs. Bayard and Marr intercepted 
him, as he passed their door, to ask if he had 


152 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


heard any of the details. And once inside his 
own room, Jack, red with indignation, confirmed 
the report. Yes, it was really an established 
fact. The Superintendent had decreed that the 
Corps was not to don white trousers on the 
morrow. 

Has he forgotten that it^s the first of 
June? ’’ Raymond asked, unable to believe his 
ears. There must be some mistake. Jack.” 

‘‘ No, he’s given special instructions to the 
adjutant. ’ ’ 

But it’s the warmest weather we’ve had 
in our three years at the Academy, and even 
if it were cold, it wouldn’t seem like June with 
the Corps in gray. Oh, Jack, there must be 
some mistake.” 

Stirling shook his head. 

‘‘ I got it straight from the adjutant, Mizzoo. 
It seems that the ^ Supe ’ is trying to break up 
a lot of old-established customs here. He says 
that there’s no more need of the battalion going 
into white trousers on June first than of going 
into ballet skirts, and that he ’s bound to put an 
end to it.” 

For a moment Raymond looked like one 


AN UNPOPULAR ORDER 


153 


stricken. Then he laughed a little unstead- 
ily* 

If the Superintendent weren’t an old grad- 
uate himself I could understand his giving such 
an order, but he can’t have forgotten what the 
putting on of white trousers signifies to a cadet. 
How is the Corps taking it, Jack? ” 

Almost mutinously.” 

Eiggs said that he overheard Old Grizzly 
tell the new ‘ tac ’ in the guard-room that the 
‘ Supe ’ had made a great mistake. ’ ’ 

Yes, I’m afraid he has.” 

Of course to one unacquainted with West 
Point customs it’s a small thing.” 

Laughably small to create such a rum- 
pus! ” 

But there are so many small things he’s 
cut out. Jack. First the toasts on New Year’s 
Day in the Mess Hall ; then the three days ’ rest 
after the January examinations; then the priv- 
ilege of running lights up ta eleven for upper 
classmen who want to study ; and finally making 
several heretofore pleasant walks around the 
post otf limits. He’s acting like a martinet. 
Jack, a veritable martinet! ” 


154 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Some of the fellows, Mizzoo, are trying to 
persuade the Corps to appear in white to-mor- 
row as usual. ’ ’ 

Raymond looked shocked. 

Do you think that any one would attempt 
such a foolhardy thing, Jack? 

Not without all doing it, and there are too 
many men in the battalion who feel as we do, 
that, right or wrong, the ‘ Supe ’ is our com- 
manding officer, and as such must be obeyed 
implicitly. ’ ’ 

Raymond picked up the calendar on the table 
and looked at it a moment before he spoke : 

When we marked off the last day to June 
this morning, we little thought that the joys 
of summer would be ushered in so — grayly.’^ 
And then with renewed hope: “ You donT 
think the ‘ Supe ’ might change his mind? 

Jack laughed shortly. 

The ‘ Supe ’ thinks he’s right, Mizzoo, and 
it would take an Act of Congress to convince 
him otherwise. ’ ’ 



CHAPTEE THIETEEN 


FIEST CLASS CAMP 

But in spite of the Superintendent, or so it 
seemed to the corps of cadets, the June exam- 
inations and exhibition drills, the graduation 
ball and ceremonies passed off as usual that 
year, and as usual the newly-made officers and 
furloughmen said good-by to their friends on 
the post, the plebes of yesterday became year- 
lings, and first class camp was at hand ! 

As in a dream the new adjutant formed the 
battalion in front of barracks to march over 
to camp; as in a dream the new first captain 
led the way across the cavalry plain, the colors 
fluttering in the soft summer breeze, the drums 
and fifes making a joyous accompaniment to the 
rapidly-moving feet and twinkling white trou- 
sers, for at last the Powers that Be had decreed 
that white was to be worn until further orders. 

As mysteriously as a conjurer produces rab- 
bits from his silk hat did the canvas tents spring 
155 


156 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


up to the north of the cavalry plain ; and almost 
before it would have seemed possible, Jack 
Stirling was writing a letter home, not using his 
locker for a desk as in former years, but seated 
at a table as became the cadet adjutant, his 
sword, for the time being, obliged to acknowl- 
edge the superiority of the pen. 

Owing to their respective positions as cadet 
adjutant and first captain, Stirling and Ray- 
mond no longer lived together, Bayard, as quar- 
termaster, sharing Jack’s tent, and Marr, as 
a cadet lieutenant, living with Raymond at the 
head of A Company Street. 

It might have surprised the Big Four to know 
what a power for good they had become in the 
battalion since their plebe year. Quite uncon- 
sciously they represented the highest ideal of 
the old army’s soldier and gentleman, an ideal 
that even transcends the glamour that always 
surrounds the members of the first class, and 
more particularly those privileged few entitled 
to wear plumed hats and red sashes, the out- 
ward manifestation of the right to command; 
a right that carries with it the sometimes pain- 
ful duty of exacting implicit obedience even 


FIRST CLASS CAMP 


157 


from one’s best friend, and a courage that 
would not hesitate to reprimand, and if need 
be, report any lapse from duty, either on the 
part of the rawest of plebes or the most popular 
of first classmen. 

Although camp had many pleasures for the 
new first class, it had many duties as well, what 
with numberless drills on the plain, manceuver- 
ing the heavy sea-coast guns, pontoon-bridge 
building, lessons in rowing, signalling with the 
heliograph, and practising commands in the 
open, this last being an out-of-door singing 
school, more noisy than melodious. 

But in spite of the drills, which though long 
were mere child’s play to the seasoned first 
classman, the time passed all too quickly, and 
hardly a man but contrasted the pleasures of 
first class camp with that memorable camp three 
years before when all seemed frowns and crush- 
ing work. Now first class privilege, or F. 
C. P.,” enabled men not on duty to leave camp 
at all hours. It entitled them to first choice in 
tents or horses. It took them otf on long ex- 
cursions either afoot, on horseback, or by row- 
boat, and made First Class Cave on Flirtation 


158 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Walk their special property. As privates they 
were released from guard duty, so soon as the 
plebes came over to camp, and instead went 
on as officers of the guard, first class officers 
acting as officers of the day. 

Next to parade, guard-mounting was the most 
impressive military formation in camp. It fol- 
lowed close on the heels of inspection each 
morning, and for a half-hour or more the visit- 
ors’ seats back of the guard tents were alive 
with pretty girls, and gray-coated cadets not 
on duty ; for the marching on of the new guard 
and the marching off of the old was of great 
interest to every one but the new guard, the 
drum-major starting or stopping the band with 
so impressive a whirl of his baton that any one 
would have thought him the ranking officer on 
the post. Even the cadet adjutant, who, in the 
eyes of the plebes, was a much bigger man than 
the Superintendent, dwindled into insignificance 
beside the glittering drum-major, who always 
seemed to bear the whole official world on his 
broad shoulders, a military Atlas in the most 
gorgeous of trappings. 

When compared with the smartly-dressed 


FIRST CLASS CAMP 


159 


cadets, the uniformed band, and the irreproach- 
able drum-major, the tactical officer in charge 
at morning parade seemed but a poor excuse for 
a soldier, and as if recognizing this he would 
finally turn over the reins of government to the 
impatient cadet adjutant, who signallized his 
triumph by directing the drum-major to sound 
off,’’ whereupon that factotum whirled his tas- 
selled baton and the band struck up a march 
so inspiring that pretty girls kept time with 
restless feet that longed to glide off into a polka. 

To the socially-inclined the hops and band 
concerts of that last camp were even more de- 
lightful than they had been during the yearling 
encampment, for ‘‘F. C. P.’’ prevailed even 
there, and, other things being equal, hardly a 
girl but preferred to be escorted by a first class- 
man, rather than a yearling, to the different 
post entertainments. 

Of the Big Four, Raymond was still the only 
one who took the social life of West Point at 
all seriously, and it is safe to say that he was 
the most popular man in camp that summer, 
his charm of manner winning him friends with 
little or no effort on his part. But best of all. 


160 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


this paragon of spoonoids did not keep his 
fine manners for his fine friends, and when some 
shy little country sister visited an equally shy 
cadet brother, it was John Raymond who made 
the occasion a memorable one for all concerned, 
and who saw that in spite of social limitations 
the girl had her walks and dances and band- 
concert evenings taken, and that in addition she 
was invited to the more exclusive picnics on 
Fort Putnam or down in Kosciusko’s Garden. 

That boy’s coming through the furnace of 
social favoritism absolutely unscathed,” young 
Mrs. Mendell affirmed to the Commandant’s 
wife at one of the band-concerts early in the 
summer. 

And in all my years at the Academy I’ve 
never seen a cadet more sought after,” the older 
woman made answer. 

He’s a delightful fellow, and so direct and 
straightforward in his manner,” Mrs. Mendell 
went on. ‘‘ He treats the girls like friends and 
comrades, and even the silliest of them can’t 
beguile him into a flirtation. He doesn’t even 
seem to know they’re trying to flirt with him.” 

And he was almost the only man in the 


FIRST CLASS CAMP 


161 


class who didnT fall under the wiles of Carroll 
Carr during yearling camp, ’ ^ returned the Com- 
mandant ^s wife reminiscently. 

Marie Harding told me about Miss Carr,’’ 
twinkled Mrs. Mendell. ‘‘ I believe she was 
called the ‘ Dresden Shepherdess,’ wasn’t 
she? ” 

‘‘I’d forgotten that, but as long as I live I’ll 
remember the way she acted the part of a typ- 
ical cadet girl, and deceived everybody into 
thinking her a little nonentity. ’ ’ 

“ How clever she must be to have concealed 
her cleverness so well! Didn’t any one suspect 
her? ” 

“ No one in the battalion, at least, and Mrs. 
Stirling, who brought her to the post, you know, 
had to assure me again and again that she was 
really Carroll Carr, the great sociologic author- 
ity, and not the little butterfly she seemed. ’ ’ 
Mrs. Mendell laughed heartily. 

“ It will be fun to see her with the mask off 
when she visits you next week. How long will 
she remain on the post? ” 

“ Only a few days, I’m sorry to say. She’s 
correcting the proofs of her new book, and says 


162 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


she dares not lift her nose from the grindstone 
for more than a whiff of our mountain air.’’ 

A week later when the new first class greeted 
Miss Carr — the Dresden Shepherdess of their 
yearling camp — at a tea given in her honor 
by the Commandant’s wife, it found her pret- 
tier than ever, and as direct in her manner as 
Marie Harding, now that there was no game 
to be played. From the very first, she and J ohn 
Raymond became the best of friends, and had 
many a hearty laugh over the masquerade of 
two years before. 

At her only hop Bayard and Stirling took 
dances on the card Raymond made out for Miss 
Carr, and she went to the band-concert with 
fully a quarter of the first class in attendance, 
most of these cavaliers being men who usually 
kept out of all social formations.” 

You realize, I hope, the honor done you 
by Stirling? ” Raymond had laughed on their 
final walk. ‘‘ To my absolute knowledge that’s 
the first hop he’s attended since yearling camp.” 

“ It’s too bad,” Miss Carr returned seri- 
ously. It’s making the boy lop-sided. Why, 
if you’ll believe it, after a glorious polka the 


FIRST CLASS CAMP 


163 


other night — and I must confess that Jack 
has learned to dance as well as to drill at West 
Point — he had the temerity to say that he 
enjoyed dancing with me because it was such 
good exercise! 

‘‘ And do you remember the time he gave 
you a bell button in yearling camp before a 
crowd of people and said that his mother had 
asked him to do it ? ^ ^ 

‘‘ Oh, yes,” dimpled Miss Carr, and that 
other time he invited me to go to a hop, and in 
the same breath all but begged me to decline 
the invitation ! ’ ’ 

Raymond chuckled. 

Would you have him any different, Car- 
roll! ” 

I don’t know that I would. He’s so very 
ingenuous.” 

But compared with Bayard, one might al- 
most call him sophisticated.” 

Miss Carr laughed appreciatively, and then: 

What a fine pair they are! After all, it’s 
refreshing to meet a young man occasionally 
who hasn’t forgotten how to blush.” 

I blush at my inability to blush,” bantered 


164 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Raymond, and as they reached the Command- 
ant’s gate: “ Good-by, Carroll. I’m sorry that 
you’re leaving ns so soon.” 

“ Yes, I’m sorry to go,” wistfully, “ and not 
at all sure that a mere book is worth such a 
sacrifice.” 

Raymond bowed low over the little hand in 
his. 

‘‘ The sacrifice is more ours than yours, but 
we’re willing to make it for another book as 
good as your first. ’ ’ 

Well spoken,” approved the girl lightly. 

‘‘ And well meant,” returned Raymond. 

Miss Carr looked up at her tall escort mis- 
chievously. 

“ Have you ever read the first book, John? ” 
she asked. 

‘‘Not once, but thrice! ” returned Raymond 
solemnly. 

“ Not once? ” echoed Miss Carr. “ And yet 
the Public calls me successful ! ’ ’ 

“ Come to the Library,” challenged Ray- 
mond, “ and I’ll show you several copies of 
‘ The Gospel of Decadence,’ all of them worn to 
a frazzle from much reading.” 


FIRST CLASS CAMP 


165 


If only the reader wasn’t worn to a fraz- 
zle I suppose I shouldn’t complain! ” with a 
saucy tilt of the chin. 

It’s a most exhaustive treatise on the sub- 
ject, Carroll,” began Raymond, somewhat di- 
dactically, perhaps, a most exhaustive trea- 
tise — ’ ’ 

But not exhausting,” begged Miss Carr. 
Oh, John, please say it’s not exhausting — 
even if you don’t mean it ! ” 

The day after Carroll Carr’s departure, Stir- 
ling and Bayard, accompanied by Riggs and 
Gronna, climbed to the top of Cro’ Nest, thir- 
teen hundred feet above the river level. Up, 
up they went, stopping now and then to feast 
on wild blackberries or get a drink from some 
sylvan brook, Bayard spouting the while from 
The Culprit Fay,” which he knew almost by 
heart, while Riggs capped each quotation with 
a saucy parody of his own, these springing full- 
fledged from his fertile imagination. 

Once arrived at the top they threw themselves 
down, a bit exhausted from the long climb, but 
filled with wonder at the panorama spread below 
them like a map, for not only could they see 


166 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


.West Point and its vicinity, bnt all the adjacent 
towns, the Catskill Mountains, and the Hudson 
stretching out for twenty miles in each direc- 
tion. 

Again Bayard - essayed a quotation from 

The Culprit Fay.’’ 

‘ ^ How do you ever remember so much of the 
stuff, Chevalier? ” asked Gronna admiringly. 
‘‘ You’re the only person I ever knew that could 
get beyond: ‘ The moon looks down on old 
Cronest.’ ” 

Oh, he ‘ specs ’ it in his sleep,” teased Jack. 

He’s nutty about ‘ The Culprit Fay.’ ” 

Bayard blushed. 

Well, I like it because it deals with things 
I’m familiar with,” he apologized. 

What things? ” demanded Biggs suspi- 
ciously. Not spirits, I hope, Chevalier? It’s 
against regulations to be familiar with 
spirits.” 

You know perfectly well that I mean sce- 
nery,” grinned Bayard. 

Scenery! ” Biggs looked indignant. 

What right have you to scenery in camp? 
I’ll put the Sleuth on to the fact that you’re 


FIRST CLASS CAMP 


167 


‘ dragging in ^ scenery, and there be the mis- 
chief to pay. ^ ’ 

What did they court-martial the ‘ onphe * 
for anyway, Bayard? ’’ interrupted Gronna. 

And what’s an ‘ ouphe? ’ ” insisted Biggs 
somewhat truculently. 

Bayard hesitated. 

‘ ‘ The ‘ ouphe ’ was a fairy, the Culprit Fay, 
and he was — er — court-martialed for loving 
an earthly maid, whose face he fanned ‘ with 
his wings of air ! ’ ” 

You said ^ sweet face ’ before,” objected 
Gronna. 

Biggs shrugged his shoulders. 

It’s a wonder the girl didn’t mistake him 
for a mosquito. I shouldn’t want an ‘ ouphe ’ 
crawling around on my sweet face, nor fanning 
my cheek with his wings of air. It sounds 
pestiferous! ” 

Jack looked at Bayard in sudden sympathy.' 

The next time we come to Cro’ Nest, Chev- 
alier, we’ll leave those young barbarians be- 
hind. I’ve never been able to wade through 
‘ The Culprit Fay ’ myself, and it will be great 
to get it from you at second-hand.” 


168 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

Gronna yawned, stretched, and lazily looked 
at his watch. Then he sprang to his feet in 
alarm. 

It’s twenty minutes past four, fellows, and 
parade’s at five. We’ll never make it down in 
time. ’ ’ 

Hardly,” put in Riggs, seeing that it took 
us all of two hours to get up here ! ’ ’ 

<< Why, at that rate we shouldn’t get down 
for supper, let alone missing parade! ” cried 
Bayard. 

Jack, as adjutant, was most perturbed, for he 
took his duties very seriously and felt the re- 
sponsibility of his position keenly. Standing 
a little aside from the others he looked down 
the steep banks of Cro’ Nest to where lay camp, 
a tiny thing no larger than a child’s toy in the 
distance. As he looked an idea flashed into his 
head. He put it aside as impracticable, but it 
reasserted itself, and this time he turned to the 
others, determination writ large on his face. 

Fellows, I don’t feel that I can afford to 
miss parade, and I’m going to risk it down the 
front of Cro’ Nest. It oughtn’t to take more 
than a half-hour that way ! ’ ’ 


FIRST CLASS CAMP 


169 


The others protested at the danger of the 
thing, but even as they talked J ack was over the 
side of the hill, sliding, scrambling, falling, 
catching on to twigs and scrubby growths of 
underbrush, now crawling on his hands and 
knees, now feet foremost, now on his back, but 
getting down. 

A moment later Bayard was after him, and, 
like a flash, Gronna and little Biggs followed 
suit. Jack, well in the lead, saw them coming, 
and yelled back his approval, but his voice was 
drowned in the crash of their bodies through 
the underbrush. Bayard, miscalculating a jump 
from one rock to another, gained several yards 
in his downward flight, though without any 
more serious mishap than a scratched face; 
Gronna bloodied his nose in a sudden contact 
with a tree that did not step aside to let him 
pass ; and little Biggs, who had made the greater 
part of the passage down on his back, was a 
sight to behold, his natty white uniform covered 
with grass stains and perspiration, his hair, a 
trifle longer than regulations prescribed, full 
of twigs and brambles. 

Arrived at the road back of the professors’ 


170 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


quarters, no one would have recognized the 
panting, perspiring lot of men, covered with 
stains from head to foot, as the four white-clad 
cadets who had picked their way so daintily 
along that very path just a few hours earlier. 

Then came a wild dash across the parade 
ground, a hasty wash, and one of those light- 
ning changes of uniform that only a first class- 
man at West Point can accomplish, and they 
were in their places in the forming line with 
only a late ’’ to their account instead of an 
absence; ’’ while Jack, by reason of his few 
moments’ start, achieved the feat of getting 
into position without so much as a ‘‘ late ” 
against him. 



CHAPTER FOURTEEN 


THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS 

August brought with it such hot weather and 
blinding dust that camp was almost unbearable, 
and the Big Four planned a trip on the river 
in one of the old rowboats kept for that purpose 
at the Engineer Dock. 

We can row up stream and drift down,^^ 
Marr had suggested. 

Or, better still, drift down with the tide 
and get towed back by some barge or other. 
They say the captains are always willing to give 
one a line.’’ 

‘‘ Lazy Mizzoo! ” teased Jack. 

‘‘ No, just incompetent,” returned Raymond. 

Bayard laughed sympathetically. 

‘‘I’m as awkward at the oars as you are, 
Raymond. ’ ’ 

“ Yes, I don’t think that either of us would 
add much to a boat’s crew.” 

“ Except as ballast! ” suggested Bayard. 

“ Oh, you’re going to be useful as well as 
171 


172 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


ornamental on tMs trip, ’ ’ declared J ack, ‘ ‘ that 
is, if there any rowing to be done, for I do 
think it would be fun to drift down with the 
tide, as Raymond suggested, and get towed 
back. ’ ^ 

But, some way or other, the Big Four could 
never seem to get off duty at the same time, and, 
in the end, just a week before the close of camp, 
little Riggs was asked in Harris place. Even 
then it looked as if the much-anticipated trip 
would have to be postponed, for on arriving at 
the Engineer Dock, the old sergeant in charge 
reported that all the wooden boats not in use 
were hauled out for repairs. 

‘‘ IFs the only time this summer IVe been 
able to get a permit, Riggs stormed. 

The sergeant was sympathetic. 

To-morrow at the latest two of the boats 
will be back, sir.’’ 

But Riggs had spied a galvanized-iron row- 
boat under the shed. 

What’s the matter with this. Sergeant? ” 

The old man looked alarmed. 

That boat’s not seaworthy, sir. The plates 
and rivets are weak.” 


THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS 173 


But Riggs was not to be diverted. 

Let’s have a look at it, Sergeant.” 

Please, young gentlemen, the boat is dan- 
gerous. I shouldn’t feel authorized to let it go 
out. ’ ’ 

‘‘ What’s it here for then! ” demanded Riggs. 

You’d go out in it yourself if you had to? ” 

Yes, sir, but — ” 

You think you could manage it better than 
we could, eh ? ” 

The sergeant grinned sheepishly. 

Well, I’ve had a bit of experience with boats 
in me time, sir ! ” 

Riggs putfed out his chest. 

‘ ‘ And I was born in the navy, Sergeant, with 
an anchor tattooed on my left arm. My cradle 
was the briny deep. I could row before I could 
walk — ’ ’ 

And blarney before you could talk,” 
laughed the sergeant. Then, more seriously: 
'‘I’m sorry, young gentlemen, but I don’t dare 
take the risk ! ’ ’ 

Jack’s face reflected the sergeant’s anxiety. 

“ Come, Riggs, the game isn’t worth the 
candle. We’ll get another permit to-morrow.” 


174 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


But Biggs interrupted almost fiercely: 

‘‘ And to-morrow I’m officer of tlie guard. 
Why, Jack, we may not he able to go again 
this summer. Come now, be a sport. Let’s 
take the old tin can and make the best of it.” 

In spite of himself Jack weakened. 

‘‘You say that you’ve used the boat your- 
self, Sergeant? ” he asked. 

“ Oh, often, sir, and, if I were sure that at 
least two of you were experienced oarsmen, I 
shouldn’t hesitate to let you have it.” 

Biggs smiled triumphantly. 

“ Then the boat’s ours. Sergeant, for both 
Mr. Stirling and I are skilled in the use of oars, 
and have been since childhood. ’ ’ 

“ You can all of you swim? ” temporized the 
sergeant. 

“ All but Mr. Bayard, who floats as well as 
a certain much-advertised brand of soap.” 

And so, amidst a great deal of grumbling on 
the part of the sergeant, the old galvanized- 
iron boat was launched with a cadet at each big 
oar, and as long as the sergeant had them in 
sight they rowed right manfully; but once 
around a bend of the river they relaxed and 


THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS 175 


let the stream carry them down, for it was a 
very hot day in that very hot August and no 
one felt much inclined to exert himself. 

After an hour or so of drifting, Jack re- 
marked somewhat regretfully: 

There’s the afternoon boat from Albany 
just passing, and as no barge is in sight I’m 
afraid it’s up to us to begin rowing back, or else 
miss parade.” 

Kiggs stretched himself lazily. 

It’s almost worth getting an ‘ absence ’ for. 
Jack. This is like floating down the Nile with 
Cleopatra, only I suppose the ‘ Supe ’ wouldn’t 
approve of Cleo.” He stopped abruptly and 
reached for an oar. Hello! The waves from 
the day-boat are making this old tub ship water, 
I think. ’ ’ And then with admirable self-control : 

No, the rivets are giving way. Steady there, 
fellows. We can easily make the shore before 
she sinks. All together now! Pull and pull 
hard! ” 

In the excitement of the moment, Bayard lost 
control of the heavy oar he was struggling to 
lift into position. It slipped from his unskillful 
hands, hit Eaymond on the head in passing, and 


176 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


crashed through the flimsy bottom of the boat. 
As it did so the already weakened rivets gave 
way and the boat split in two, emptying the hoys 
into the water. 

Jack Stirling was the first to come to the sur- 
face. As in a dream he saw a boat being lowered 
from the steamer ^s side, and realized that he 
was rising and falling on the great waves made 
by the churning of her propeller. The railings 
of both decks were black with people crowding 
there to see what had happened, and something 
sounded shrilly in his ears, something that 
might have been the whistle of the boat or the 
hysterical shrieks of women and children. 

Suddenly a head appeared on his left, and 
Bayard, gasping, choking, the water running 
from ears and eyes, had turned on his back and 
thrown out his arms, a ruggedly-cut human 
cross on the seething water. At his very first 
lesson in swimming Bayard had learned to keep 
afloat, but he had never learned to swim beyond 
a tentative stroke or two, his feet utterly re- 
fusing to stay on the surface of the water, strug- 
gle though he might. That Bayard had half- 
unconsciously thrown himself into the one posi- 


THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS 177 


tion he could maintain in the water filled Jack 
with confidence, for Raymond could swim well 
enough to keep afloat until help came, while he 
and Riggs were the best swimmers of the 
class. 

You’re all right, Bayard, old fellow,” Jack 
had called to his friend, just pretend you’re 
a piece of soap for another two or three minutes 
and we’ll be picked up by the ship’s boat and 
rowed ashore.” 

‘ ^ I — I believe I swallowed all the Hudson 
River that time,” gurgled Bayard, chokingly. 

J ust then Riggs shot up, swimming hand over 
hand with lazy confidence, a grin on his impu- 
dent face, while at a greater distance Raymond 
appeared for one brief moment, only to go down 
again like a log. 

Jack took in the situation at a glance. The 
falling oar that had struck Raymond on the 
head must have rendered him unconscious, so 
calling to Bayard to keep afloat until help came 
and not try to swim. Jack struck out in the 
direction where Raymond had come up, Riggs 
close behind him, the impudent smile gone from 
his white face. 


178 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


To the people on the boat it seemed but a 
second before Raymond appeared again. To 
Stirling and Riggs it was an eternity of sus- 
pense, and as Raymond came up at some little 
distance from where he went down, they struck 
out for him manfully, the awful thought that 
they might reach him too late numbing their 
arms and legs. 

Oh, how far it seemed to that black head 
bobbing on the water, the eyes closed, the 
mouth half-open. Now the water had swallowed 
up his shoulders, his neck, his chin. In another 
moment it would be too late. With a desperate 
spurt Jack reached his friend and jerked him 
out of danger. 

Meanwhile Bayard had discovered Ray- 
mond's plight, and, being Bayard, he attempted 
to go to his classmate’s rescue, with the inevi- 
table result of sinking ere he had taken a half- 
dozen strokes, a warning cry from the approach- 
ing rowboat sending Riggs back to him, leaving 
Jack to handle Raymond as best he could. So 
while Stirling swam towards the rowboat, sup- 
porting Raymond’s unconscious form, little 
Riggs grappled with Bayard, who in his excite- 





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THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS 179 


ment clung so convulsively to his rescuer as to 
interfere with his movements. 

‘‘ Stop that, you big, clumsy landlubber! ” 
Riggs managed to gasp as he released himself 
from the clutch of the over-grateful Chevalier, 
and, as Bayard made another wild reach for 
his neck : ‘ ‘ Here ! Put your hand on my 
shoulder — so ! — and if you make another grab 
at my throat. I’ll knock you silly. You’d rather 
float than swim? All right! Turn over on 
your idiotic back, and don’t attempt any more 
rescues this trip. ’ ’ 

‘‘I’m sorry,” apologized Bayard. “ I 
thought Raymond was drowning! ” 

“ But what help could you have been when 
you can’t swim a stroke yourself? ” asked Riggs 
crossly, and then, repenting of his harshness as 
he looked into his classmate’s white, upturned 
face, he muttered softly as if to himself : “ You 
dear, old, good-for-nothing Bayard! You’ve 
more real chivalry in your little finger than the 
rest of us have in our whole worthless bodies ! ” 
And crawling into the boat, which came up at 
that moment, he dragged the inert Chevalier in 
after him, and thumped the big fellow on the 


180 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


back with a tenderness quite foreign to Ms 
nature. 

A few moments later Raymond, still uncon- 
scious, was lying in the doctor ^s cabin aboard 
the day-boat. 

‘ ‘ This young gentleman has had a very severe 
shock,” the old physician said as Raymond at 
last opened his eyes, and then, deftly binding 
up the cut on his forehead: I should advise 
his keeping to his bed for a day or so. Such 
shocks to the nervous system should be treated 
by rest and quiet.” To which Jack had replied 
without a thought as to the humor of the 
thing : 

Oh, but he doesnT mind a little scratch like 
that, sir. And as for the nervous shock, why, 
he’s a cadet, you see, and — ” 

‘‘ Nothing can daunt him! ” finished the old 
doctor, his eyes twinkling. ‘‘ For the same rea- 
son I suppose that you young gentlemen won’t 
catch your death of cold standing around in 
those dripping things, notwithstanding which 
we’ll have you wrapped in blankets and see that 
the steward dries what little you have on, and 
supplies you with a garment or two, in addition. 


THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS 181 


that you may land in New York properly 
clothed.’’ 

Land in New York ! Jack rushed to the port- 
hole of the stateroom, and, sure enough, they 
were even then passing Yonkers, and would be 
in New York within an hour, for while the doc- 
tor had been working over Raymond the day- 
boat had been moving swiftly towards its des- 
tination. 

Bayard, looking over Jack’s shoulder at the 
Highlands, slipping by the boat as if hurrying 
to tell the Superintendent of the four runaways, 
turned a white face on Riggs’ grinning one. 

‘‘ But v^hat will they do to us? ” he asked 
somewhat breathlessly. “ How can we ever 
explain our absence? ” 

Riggs’ grin spread from ear to ear, but he 
answered solemnly: 

‘‘ We can’t explain it, Bayard, and I, for one, 
expect to be shot out of the reveille gun in the 
morning.” 

But it’s no joking matter, Riggs,” almost 
wailed Bayard. 

No,” returned Riggs forlornly, as if he 
recognized their predicament for the first time. 


182 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


‘‘ weVe not only overstayed our pass, Bayard, 
but they may accuse us of ^ running it ^ to New 
York. Just think of the cadet adjutant, the 
first captain, and the quartermaster ^ running 
it ’ to New York with B. J. Biggs. That^s what 
comes of associating with ne’er-do-wells and 
workers of iniquity. As the Chaplain told us 
only last Sunday ‘ evil communications corrupt 
good manners ! ’ ” 



CHAPTER FIFTEEN 


THE TEMPTATION 

And so it happened that when the day-boat 
drew up to her pier that afternoon four young 
gentlemen stepped ashore, odd-looking young 
gentlemen dressed alike as to rough-dried white 
duck trousers, but with varicolored and, what 
Riggs termed, vari-fitted coats, hats, and boots. 

Meanwhile the captain had provided enough 
money for the return trip to the Academy, not 
to mention as much again for a little fun on the 
side, as he explained to Jack on counting it out, 
his weather-eye closing in a good-natured wink. 
For all these things the boys signed papers, at 
their own suggestion, just as they would have 
done on drawing articles from the cadet com- 
missary, thus impressing the ship’s officers by 
their businesslike methods. 

The first thing they did on going ashore was 
to telegraph the Commandant, explaining their 
predicament and saying that they would be 
back on the next available train. This proved 
183 


184 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


to be one leaving about two hours later, and as 
it was also the last train that stopped at West 
Point that night, unless signalled to do so, they 
took solemn vows that nothing must occur to let 
them miss it. Jack being made the official time- 
keeper. 

With this off their minds they proceeded to 
have the lark anticipated, feeling that never in 
the annals of the Academy had there been such 
a good time in prospect, and a legitimate good 
time, at that, officially chaperoned, as it were, 
by the adjutant, first captain, and quartermas- 
ter. 

That their absurd outfits might be objected 
to in polite society never occurred to the four 
guileless youths, nor were they aware that they 
were the objects of much comment at the famous 
Broadway restaurant to which, boy-like, they 
made their way at once. With the supreme con- 
fidence of youth they felt that all the smartly- 
dressed people dawdling over their tea and muf- 
fins would understand the predicament in which 
they found themselves, and only when the head 
waiter suavely suggested that the hearty repast 
ordered must be paid for in advance did they 


THE TEMPTATION 


185 


have the slightest inkling that anything was 
amiss. 

Then Eiggs, catching sight of himself in a 
long mirror across the dining-room, went into 
shrieks of laughter at the picture he presented 
in a coat several sizes too large for him and of 
a plaid that would have made the Biblical gar- 
ment of Joseph look like a conventional busi- 
ness suit; while Bayard’s long arms were cov- 
ered but a little way below the elbows in a blue 
serge coat that had seen better days. Eay- 
mond’s outfit was not much of an improvement 
on the others, but he had a knack of wearing his 
clothes that made him look rather better dressed 
than he really was; and Jack, who had drawn 
first choice in the garments offered them aboard 
ship, brought up the sartorial average some- 
what, notwithstanding that the seams of the 
striped blazer threatened to give way under 
every movement of his strong young shoulders. 

I can’t make ’em out,” the head waiter con- 
fided to his assistant. They’re gentlemen so 
far as money, talk, manners, and eating go — 
but their clothes ! Did you ever see a rag-picker 
that wasn’t better dressed! ” 


186 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


‘'I’d say they were college boys got up that 
way for a bet, only they aren’t drinking any- 
thing,” returned the assistant, “ and college 
boys always drink just to show they’re old 
enough to do it, if for nothing else.” 

“ Well, they’re making noise enough as it is 
on that apollinaris,” grumbled the head waiter. 
“ If it were champagne now, I’d say they were 
all shamefully intoxicated, especially the little 
chap in the plaid coat and the one with the band- 
age on his head. ’ ’ 

But there was no need of adding extraneous 
spirits to those overflowing ones near the win- 
dow, even if their permits had not put them on 
honor in the matter, and many a jaded diner- 
out smiled in sudden sympathy with the bub- 
bling laughter that gushed forth so spontane- 
ously above the music of the Hungarian Band, 
the very waiters entering into the spirit of the 
thing at last, and vying with each other as to 
which should best serve those ill-dressed, rol- 
licking youngsters who beat time with knife 
and fork to the swinging music, and waved 
gayly to the passers-by on the hot street out- 
side. 


THE TEMPTATION 


187 


Little Eiggs was, of course, the life of the 
party, and did he but ask for a second helping 
of this dish or that it caused a roar of merri- 
ment, the solemn English waiters disappearing 
now and then to relieve their overstrained feel- 
ings. 

As they left the restaurant and signalled for 
a cab, Raymond put a protesting hand on Riggs’ 
shoulder. 

Oh, B. J.,” he begged, do let up on that 
funny business a minute. I’m faint with laugh- 
ter.” 

It isn’t that Riggs is so funny in what he 
says,” Bayard attempted to explain in his sol- 
emn way, but that he looks so queer in that 
plaid coat.” 

Riggs pretended to be very much hurt, and 
then with a sudden return of cheerfulness : 

‘‘ But, after all, Bayard, I couldn’t be much 
funnier-looking than a man possessing only one 
dimension! ” And he swept the tall, slender 
figure with a glance half-comical, half-affection- 
ate. 

No one could ever accuse you of that fault, 
B. J.,” Jack returned, ‘‘ and what you lack per- 


188 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


pendicularly you make up horizontally, that 
plaid coat bringing out the peculiar grace of 
your figure to perfection.’’ 

‘‘ Ah, come now. Jack,” Riggs protested, 

I’m sensitive on that subject. You know that 
I always draw the line at my figure. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Say rather the circle, ’ ’ mocked Raymond as 
they all four piled into an open carriage to drive 
up and down Broadway in a perfect orgy of 
delight at their freedom from restraint, though 
all unconsciously they were still restrained by 
the spirit of old West Point, else perhaps it 
would have taken more than a dinner without 
wine and a drive on Broadway to have satisfied 
them. 

At last the hour for their departure arrived, 
and all Unwillingly they dismissed the carriage, 
and after buying some candy, fruit, and maga- 
zines, wended their slow way to the sta- 
tion. 

“ Wouldn’t it be a joke,” Riggs asked tenta- 
tively, if we’d made a mistake in the train 
and couldn’t get one until early to-morrow 
morning? ” 

Jack’s heart leaped at the thought. 


THE TEMPTATION 


189 


‘‘ You know we could miss it! Riggs went 
on. IVe missed lots of trains in my life — 
even those IVe wanted. Suppose you make me 
the official timekeeper, Jack. I^d gladly take all 
the blame for being late. ^ ^ 

It was a great temptation, that opportunity 
to catch a longer glimpse of the outside world 
after a whole year of imprisonment at West 
Point, and not a man among them but felt his 
breath come hard at the thought. 

‘ ^ That wonderful new opera ^ Erminie ’ is at 
the Casino,” Riggs continued pleadingly, and 
Mansfield V in town, and Heavens knows what 
all! Oh, Jack, why can’t we miss that last 
train? ” 

They were passing a bill-board of Er- 
minie ” at the time, and a scene from the pink 
ball-room caused them to stop short in their 
tracks with amazement, for in those days gor- 
geous scenic and spectacular effects were not 
so common as they are now, and to at least three 
of the boys the bill-board represented something 
undreamed of in their philosophy. Even Riggs, 
metropolitan as he was, recognized that here 
was something more wonderful than he was 


190 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


accustomed to, and that its charm lay not alone 
in the fact of his having been immured at West 
Point for almost twelve months. 

Oh, fellows,’^ Raymond gasped half-inartic- 
ulately, ‘‘ do you really suppose iUs as fine 
as that? And then without waiting for an 
answer: ‘‘If we could only stay over to see 
it! ’’ 

Bayard slowly tore his fascinated gaze away 
from the bill-board to cast an appealing look 
at Jack, but Jack was still staring at the pink 
ball-room, as only a boy born on the plains could 
do, for up to furlough he had never seen any 
professional acting, save that of a wander- 
ing theatrical troupe, playing “ Uncle Tom’s 
Cabin, ’ ’ which had found its way to the Arizona 
garrison. Stirling remembered what a disap- 
pointment it had been to have Little Eva come 
out and sell her photographs at the end of the 
performance after she had died so beautifully 
and been taken straight up to Heaven before 
his entranced eyes. Suddenly he was awakened 
from his memories and longings by Bayard’s 
voice : 

‘j Don’t you think we might risk it. Jack? ” 


THE TEMPTATION 


191 


he pleaded. I^m willing to be reduced to 
ranks, and walk tours for the rest of the year 
just to see ^ Erminie ^ to-night. It isn’t any- 
thing we’d be ashamed to stay over for,” he 
went on, blushing vividly. It’s a clean sort 
of play, and, from what I’ve heard, the music 
is something grand ! ’ ’ 

J ack drew himself together with a great start, 
and on the instant forgot his boyish longings, 
remembering only that he was Stirling, the 
cadet adjutant, and that one of the best men in 
the battalion — the cadet quartermaster, in fact 
— was putting into words the very thought that 
had been pleading for recognition in his own 
consciousness. Shocked at himself for having 
harbored even for a moment such an unmilitary 
idea. Jack squared his shoulders resolutely, and 
turned his eyes from the fabulous joys of the 
pink ball-room to the stern realities of a near-by 
clock. 

Even as it was they had barely time to make 
their train, so in the most casual way in the 
world he linked arms with Riggs and Bayard, 
feeling instinctively that Raymond needed no 
urging to do the proper thing, Riggs being liable 


192 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


to balk from sheer ‘ ‘ B. J.ity, ’ ’ and Bayard from 
the mistaken sense that he was at liberty to do 
what he pleased, providing only that he made a 
clean breast of it afterwards to the authorities 
at West Point. 

About face! Forward march! laughed 
Stirling. 

Bayard pulled back on his right arm and 
Riggs on his left. Jack’s face set in resolute 
lines. 

You fellows have got to come along,” he 
said quietly enough. Our permits put us on 
honor — on honor ! ” he repeated. 

At the sound of that shibboleth to all West 
Pointers, Bayard relaxed the arm that was 
struggling to free itself from Jack’s hold, and 
stood quite still, trembling a little, and blown, 
like a horse that has found its master. 

Riggs flushed uneasily. 

It wouldn’t be going back on our permits 
if we happened to miss the train, ’ ’ he ventured 
a trifle sulkily. 

Jack took a firmer hold of his arm. 

But we won’t miss it, B. J.,” he asserted, 
* ‘ that is, not if we start at once, ’ ’ and a moment 


THE TEMPTATION 


193 


later the four splendidly-erect young fellows in 
their absurd apparel were striding towards the 
Grand Central Station as if pursued by the 
entire Tactical Department. 



CHAPTER SIXTEEN 


A WARNING 

“ And to think that the cadet adjutant and 
first captain should be mixed up in such a dis- 
graceful affair! stormed the Superintendent. 

There ^s no possible excuse for it. I tell you 
the Academy’s going to the dogs. Why, in our 
day — ” the Superintendent paused for breath, 
and the little Commandant essayed a feeble : 

But it was only an accident. Colonel, and 
we have the young gentlemen’s word that they 
tried to get the captain to put them ashore.” 

Yes, of course, but why should they have 
gone so far from camp in the beginning? ” 

They were within easy rowing distance of 
West Point, sir, when the boat sank.” 

‘‘ But how did it happen the boat went to 
pieces so opportunely? I tell you the whole 
thing was premeditated. It must have been.” 

The Commandant flushed, quite as if he, per- 
sonally, had been accused by the Superintendent 
of something disreputable. 

194 


A WARNING 


195 


As you know, Colonel, however careless a 
cadet may be about breaking regulations, be 
considers it dishonorable to take undue advan- 
tage of a permit. And the signing of bis return 
in the guard book is equivalent to bis word as 
a cadet and a gentleman that he has not taken 
advantage of the permit.’^ 

Yes, it used to be so,’’ grudgingly. 

Well, sir, all of the young gentlemen under 
discussion bad the proper permits yesterday, 
and they all signed the guard book on their 
return last night. ’ ’ 

The Superintendent closed and unclosed his 
long fingers nervously. 

‘‘ Nevertheless you are to issue an order at 
once, please, prohibiting any more trips on the 
river. Yes, and while you’re about it, cut out 
riding privileges, too ! ’ ’ 

The Commandant’s mild eyes opened to their 
fullest extent, but before be could speak the 
Superintendent went on jerkily : 

I won’t take any chances on a repetition 
of yesterday’s doings. The first thing we know 
there’ll be an epidemic of accidents, and the 
day-boat and the trains will be picking up in- 


196 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

jured cadets every afternoon and carrying them 
to New York.^^ 

But you don’t think that Mr. Raymond — ” 

No, I don’t accuse Mr. Raymond of any- 
thing, but I feel that some action should be 
taken to put a stop to — er — similar happen- 
ings.” 

The Commandant picked up his cap. At the 
door he turned. 

I’m sorry, sir, you take this view of the 
matter. Personally I feel it was an unavoidable 
accident, and that in taking the first possible 
train back to West Point the young gentlemen 
did all they could do. ’ ’ He hesitated a moment, 
fingering his cap, and then went on abruptly: 

Since camp breaks up in a week anyway, I 
wish you’d reconsider that order prohibiting 
riding privileges and the use of boats on the 
river.” 

The Superintendent frowned. 

<< We’re not running a young ladies’ seminary 
at West Point, sir. Discipline must be main- 
tained. Which reminds me, I’ll have no ^ rush ’ 
to meet the returning furloughmen this year.” 

The Commandant fairly gasped. 


A WARNING 


197 


But tlie ‘ rush ’ is such an old-established 
custom, Colonel! 

I don’t believe in being such abject slaves 
•to custom! ” interrupted the Superintendent 
hotly. The West Point of to-day is made up 
of precedents and immemorial usages. It’s ab- 
surd! ” 

^ ‘ So it is, ’ ’ the Commandant agreed politely, 
but what can you expect from an institution 
so conservative that it takes its very instructors 
from the ranks of its graduates? Now, there 
isn’t any real harm in the ^ rush,’ sir. You 
remember how dear it was to our hearts as 
young men? Some sport is necessary to cadets, 
and you’ll admit they’ve had a quiet camp, a 
very quiet camp ! ’ ’ 

All the more reason they shouldn’t end it 
in that disgraceful way ! ’ ’ snapped the autocrat. 
<< Why, last summer the battalion all but tore 
the clothes oif the returning furloughmen in the 
^ rush ’ to meet them — hats were smashed, ties 
destroyed, collars demolished — after which the 
furlough class had its picture taken by Barney 
on the Chapel steps ! They looked like a lot of 
hoodlums.” 


198 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


But still the Commandant was unconvinced. 
‘‘ lUs a risk, sir,’’ he faltered, an awful risk, 
especially coupled with the order prohibiting 
those first class privileges. You know that we 
almost had a mutiny on our hands the time we 
stopped the New Year’s toasts in the Mess Hall, 
and again last June when the battalion was not 
allowed to go into white. ’ ’ 

The Superintendent’s thin lips compressed 
menacingly. 

‘‘ It doesn’t do to set the screws too tight,” 
the Commandant hazarded. ‘‘I’m afraid that 
the first class, in particular, may give us 
trouble. ’ ’ 

“ Very well, then, the first class will smart 
for it, that’s all.” 

The Commandant hesitated. He felt that the 
Superintendent’s action was tyrannical. He 
knew how dear to the classes was the time-hon- 
ored custom of meeting the returning furlough- 
men, and he longed to prevent the insubordina- 
tion that he felt sure would follow the publica- 
tion of the order prohibiting the ‘ ‘ rush. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ I would suggest, sir, ’ ’ he began hesitatingly, 
‘ ‘ that we go about this matter in another way. ’ ’ 


A WARNING 


199 


But the Superintendent interrupted curtly: 

You heard my orders, didn^t you? Kindly 
see that they are carried out to the letter! 

The Commandant braced as a plebe might 
have braced for a yearling corporal. 

“ Very well, sir.’’ Then he saluted, turned 
on his heel, and left the Superintendent’s office. 
But he shook his head thoughtfully as he made 
his way down the line, for the Commandant, 
despite his years, understood cadet nature, and 
feared that the temptation to meet the return- 
ing furloughmen in the usual fashion would be 
more than the battalion could stand. 

In front of the Gymnasium he ran across the 
cadet adjutant and first captain. The young 
men saluted gravely as they passed, the 
sunlight glittering on their handsome chev- 
rons. 

Bless my soul! ” thought the Commandant. 
‘‘ How very much Jack is growing to look like 
his father. Oh, I wish that I could give him 
some warning about controlling himself on the 
furloughmen ’s return.” 

Impulsively he stopped. At the same moment 
the two gray-coated figures stopped also. 


200 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


‘‘ Young gentlemen/^ began the Commandant, 
and then paused, not knowing how to go on. 
Once again he essayed it: Young gentlemen, 
I want you to know that never during my tour 
of duty at the Academy has a first class com- 
ported itself with more dignity in camp than 
has yours. The example you have set to the 
third and fourth classmen is exemplary — most 
exemplary. We — the entire Tactical Depart- 
ment — have often commented upon it. We feel 
highly gratified at the absence of boyish pranks. 
We admire your military spirit, and — ah! — 
ahem! — he felt for his handkerchief and blew 
his nose loudly — ahem! We hope that when 
you march back into barracks a week from 
to-day it will be with flying colors. It is your 
last cadet camp, young gentlemen. Don’t do 
anything at the eleventh hour to spoil it,” and, 
with another salute, the Commandant turned 
away, while Jack and Raymond struck off 
towards the road leading to old Fort Put- 
nam. 

“ What do you suppose he was driving at? ” 
hazarded Raymond when out of the Command- 
ant’s hearing. 


A WARNING 


201 


Jack looked very thoughtful. 

^ ‘ He was warning us to ‘ sweat our tempers ^ 
over something or other that’s going to occur 
before we leave camp, ’ ’ he said. Then, laughing 
a little: That compliment to the class was 

obviously an appeal. It reminds me of the way 
Mother manages our cook, for whenever she 
has occasion to find fault with something in 
the kitchen, she always prefaces it with a word 
of approbation, as: ‘ Those potatoes were un- 
usually good this evening, Dinah, but you must 
be careful next time to have the filet better 
done.’ ” 

In other words. Jack, he was warning us 
not to let anything happen to mar our good 
record before the end of camp. What could he 
have meant? ” 

That night at parade they thought they knew, 
for an order was published prohibiting the use 
of boats on the river and curtailing riding priv- 
ileges for the rest of the summer. 

It’s a reflection on our honor,” expostu- 
lated Raymond hotly. 

If the Superintendent were a cadet, I’d 
challenge him I ” Bayard’s big hands worked 


202 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

nervously as he spoke. He^s insulted us all, 
grossly insulted us! ’’ 

Oh, come now, fellows,’’ soothed Jack, 
‘‘ there’s nothing to get insulted over. If we 
had done anything disreputable in trying to get 
to New York, or taken advantage of our permits 
while there, or not come back on the first pos- 
sible train, we might feel that the order was 
aimed at us, but as it is — ” 

As it is,” fiamed Riggs, ‘‘I’m sorry that 
we didn’t make more of our brief vacation. 
Since the ‘ Supe ’ has deemed fit to disgrace us 
before the battalion I’m only sorry that we 
didn’t deserve it. Honesty isn’t always the best 
policy. ’ ’ 

“ Look here, B. J.,” reminded Jack somewhat 
sharply, “ it doesn’t matter whether it’s policy 
or not to be honest. Policy hasn’t an honest 
sound.” 

“ Oh, I know it hasn’t. Jack, but the ‘ Supe ’ 
makes me forget myself sometimes. He’s so 
suspicious and narrow in his dealings with the 
Corps that he reminds me of Diogenes looking 
in vain for an honest man.” 

“ I’ve always thought that old pagan must 


A WARNING 


203 


have had a mighty poor opinion of his own in- 
tegrity when he hunted so hard for honesty in 
others/’ declared Eaymond. 

‘‘You don’t mean to imply that the ‘ Supe ’ 
isn’t straight! ” queried Eiggs, quick to scent 
a scandal. 

“No! But I do think he should realize, as 
an old cadet, that after three years at West 
Point even the worst man in the class must have 
caught glimpses of ideals, must have seen vi- 
sions, and dreamed dreams.” 

“ Yes, the very fact of being a first classman 
sobers one. somehow,” Eiggs admitted. “ It’s 
— it’s kind of awful being looked up to so by 
plebes and yearlings. I couldn’t do things now 
I’d have done in a minute last spring. And if 
I wore chevrons — ” he threw out his hands 
comically — ‘ ‘ well, it would be equivalent to 
wearing a halo.” 

“ This action on the part of the ‘ Supe ’ must 
be what the Commandant warned us to look 
out for,” hazarded Jack. 

“ Very likely,” agreed Eaymond, “ and I 
must confess that it’s stirred the class to its 
foundations. I’m glad we have the Color Line 


204 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Entertainment to-night. It may help quiet 
things. ’ ^ 




CHAPTEE SEVENTEEN 


SUNSHINE AND SHADOW 

Immediately after the establishment of camp 
each summer arms are stacked on a path run- 
ning parallel to the guard tents, and the bat- 
talion colors are laid over the stacks. This 
path is called the Color Line, and just before 
the breaking up of camp a stage is erected 
there and a performance, known as the Color 
Line Entertainment, is given, this usually ta- 
king the form of a farce or musical comedy 
written and acted by the cadets. 

That year the little operetta, ^ ‘ From Eeveille 
to Taps,’^ given on the Color Line, might well 
have scored a Broadway success, for the li- 
bretto, written by Eiggs and Gronna, and set 
to popular music of the day, was unusually 
bright, while the acting made one feel that some 
successful Thespians were lost to the world in 
the making of its soldiers. The plot of the 
operetta, if plot it could be called, had to do 
with an encampment at West Point, a glorified 
205 


206 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


encampment wherein braw lads and bonny 
lasses — the lasses being represented by cadets, 
of course — proved that Heaven cannot be 
‘‘ off limits ’’ if marriages are really made 
there, for at the final curtain all the tangled 
webs of romance were straightened out, and 
each Jack was paired off with his own partic- 
ular Jill to swell the tuneful chorus from Er- 
minie. ’ ’ 

And Riggs, homely, snub-nosed, wide- 
mouthed little Riggs, developed into the most 
charming of soubrettes. 

As pretty a girl as ever visited West 
Point! ’’ the audience declared; for the necro- 
mancy of the footlights, assisted by rouge, pow- 
der, eyebrow-pencils, and a golden wig, had 
changed the ugly duckling into a swan-like 
maiden, whose artless ways so enraptured sev- 
eral impressionable youths behind the scenes 
that Riggs quite lost his temper. 

If you fellows don’t stop trying to kiss 
me whenever I come off the stage. I’ll get rid 
of these confounded togs and give you the worst 
licking you ever had,” he vociferated, looking 
as fierce as the sweet painted smile allowed. 


SUNSHINE AND SHADOW 


207 


The impressionable youths fell back, aghast 
at the grutf voice issuing from those over-red 
lips. It did not seem possible that dainty bit 
of femininity was really Riggs, ugly, freckled, 
red-headed Riggs! Why, he was almost as 
good-looking as Carroll Carr, the belle of their 
yearling camp, and, in fact, Riggs had modelled 
himself on that bewildering young person as 
she first appeared at West Point, even to a half- 
frightened, appealing way of looking up from 
under his naturally long lashes, made even 
longer by judicious touches of black paste. 

When Riggs made his first bow to the audi- 
ence, every one gasped in astonishment at his 
transformation, but when he opened his ruby 
lips and lisped out some inanity in a deep, mas- 
culine voice, the roar that went up made the 
dainty soubrette raise and lower those won- 
derful lashes in girlish embarrassment, an em- 
barrassment that sent every one into fresh 
gales of laughter. 

There were many attractive young women on 
the stage that night, but even Sydney Dodd as 
the stately heroine, black-browed and hand- 
some, with freshly-shaved cheeks which still 


208 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


showed slightly blue through the paint and 
powder, felt that the soubrette outclassed him, 
and knew full well, as he warbled his woes to 
the audience in a tenor voice calculated to melt 
the most frozen heart, that all eyes were riveted 
on his golden-haired rival, so shy, so appealing, 
the dark lashes sweeping the rosy cheeks at the 
slightest provocation, the red lips half-parted 
over the even white teeth, the gloved hands 
clasping and unclasping in an agony of embar- 
rassment. Even the Superintendent was seen 
to smile, albeit somewhat grimly, and the im- 
pressionable ‘‘ tac,’’ who had succeeded Lieu- 
tenant Ward, was plainly swept off his feet by 
the graces of graceless Riggs. 

In the week following the Color Line Enter- 
tainment, that wonderful last week in camp, the 
first class would have had no time for either 
riding or boating by reason of the numerous 
picnics, teas, and dinners given on the post, and 
they had all but forgotten their resentment 
against the Superintendent when the order pro- 
hibiting the ‘‘ rush ” was published. Almost 
immediately the class held an indignation meet- 
ing, and some of the more irresponsible mem- 


SUNSHINE AND SHADOW 


209 


bers wanted to make the rush ’’ in spite of 
the anthorities. 

But orders are orders/^ the cadet adjutant 
had urged, and it's not for us to question 
them. Only last week the Commandant spoke 
of our excellent deportment during camp. He 
said that we had set a fine example to the year- 
lings and plebes." 

Then the authorities ought to let well 
enough alone! " flashed Alden Boyd. 

Yes, the Superintendent is mistaking des- 
potism for discipline ! " It was Luke Bradford 
who spoke. 

Jack stared at him in amazement, for Brad- 
ford's record had been one of the best in the 
class; but before he could make any sort of a 
rejoinder staunch old Sylvester drawled out 
that in his opinion the Superintendent's method 
of treating cadets was bringing military disci- 
pline down to a very low ebb, and that before 
long he predicted some sort of an outbreak in 
the battalion, though in the present instance, 
in common with the Big Four, he sanctioned 
strict obedience to the authorities. 

Doolittle of Kansas, good-natured, kindly. 


210 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


was aflame with indignation; Curtis Brackett, 
as infallible in discipline as he was in his stud- 
ies, pronounced the order unjust and tyran- 
nical ; Sinclair, the studious, affirmed somewhat 
sophomorically that although West Point was 
educating them at government expense the Su- 
perintendent had infused so much gall and bit- 
terness in the cup of knowledge that the 
draught would long be remembered for its un- 
pleasantness ; while Biggs and Gronna, sobered 
by the gravity of the situation, urged caution 
on the class, though admitting that the incite- 
ment to mutiny was great. 

As usual Jack Stirling had the last word, and 
as usual his advice was good. He reminded 
his classmates that even as cadets they repre- 
sented a profession dedicated to preserve law 
and order in time of peace, just as it would 
sacrifice life and limb in time of war; he dwelt 
upon the sacredness of the trust committed to 
them, not only on the field of battle but in the 
routine of every-day life ; and he wound up by 
reiterating that obedience is the alpha and 
omega of a soldier’s existence. 

And so it was that wiser counsel finally pre- 


SUNSHINE AND SHADOW 


211 


vailed with the class, though there was much 
muttering in the battalion and many threats as 
to what individual cadets would do, once free 
from the restraints of little old West Point ! ’’ 
There’s no denying, Truitt, that the ‘ rush ’ 
is an undignified proceeding, ’ ’ Lieutenant Gris- 
wold said to his best friend in the Tactical De- 
partment that evening, and I think the Su- 
perintendent is right to do away with it, 
only — ” 

‘‘You wish he’d gone about it differently! ” 

“ Exactly! He should have taken the first 
class into his confidence and allowed them to 
break it up instead of publishing an order pro- 
hibiting it.” 

“He’s not very tactful.” 

“ Tactful! He doesn’t know the meaning of 
the word. In fact he seems to regard the first 
class as an enemy to be outwitted instead of a 
friend and comrade fighting shoulder to shoul- 
der with him, and in all my years at the Acad- 
emy I ’ve never known a first class more worthy 
of confidence.” 

“ The Big Four, as they’re called, are a 
wonderful influence for good.” 


212 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Yes, they represent an instance where the 
Tactical Department and the Corps absolutely 
agree on a man’s fitness to command, for, as 
you know, Stirling is class president as well as 
adjutant, Raymond is class secretary as well 
as first captain, while Bayard and Marr are 
prominent not only as cadet officers, but as class 
officers. Now, if the Superintendent would 
confer with those four men when he wishes to 
do away with some old-established custom, he 
could accomplish wonders.” 

Lieutenant Truitt smiled somewhat cynic- 
ally. 

He’s great on changes, the Superintend- 
ent! 

Yes, and most of the changes are well 
thought out. For example, the day for New 
Year’s toasts in the Mess Hall is over. It be- 
longed to the old army when everybody drank 
more or less to excess, and to drink the toasts 
in water was but begging the question after 
all; then the three days’ rest following the 
January examinations meant just that much 
harder work later in the year, for there ’s barely 
enough room as it is to squeeze in the academic 


SUNSHINE AND SHADOW 


213 


course between January first and June first; 
while the putting on of white trousers at grad- 
uation, irrespective of weather, was nonsensical, 
for often the battalion really sutfered from 
cold, but — ’ ’ 

Our tactless Chief made the change in the 
warmest June we’ve had for years and it shook 
the Corps from top to bottom.” 

Precisely,” nodded Lieutenant Griswold. 

But you don’t believe he was right to cut 
off first class riding privileges or rowing on the 
river because of an unavoidable accident, do 
you? ” 

No, it was an error of judgment on his 
part, due to physical causes.” 

Physical causes? Why, what do you 
mean? ” 

‘‘ Only that the Superintendent has suffered 
for years from an old wound in his thigh, and 
when the pain gets too intense it makes him 
— ah — a trifle overactive, and, without intend- 
ing to do so, he takes it out on the Corps.” 

The younger officer shrugged his shoulders. 

What a grim old soldier he is. Do you 
suppose he was ever young, or did he spring 


214 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


into being, full-fledged and panoplied for 
war? ’’ 

One might almost think so, for I never 
knew a man with so little sympathy for youth, 
or so little understanding of its needs. Why, 
Truitt, when I suggested taking the men, not 
otherwise engaged, away from camp to-mor- 
row morning on a perfectly legitimate errand, 
he all but foamed at the mouth. I told him 
that there was danger of an unpremeditated 
‘ rush ’ to meet the returning furloughmen, 
that such things were contagious, and that it 
would be the better part of valor to protect the 
battalion from itself.’’ 

And what did he say? ” 

Simply that the cadets had been given 
their orders, and that if they disobeyed those 
orders they must sutfer the consequences.” 

In other words, he forbids the battalion to 
do something, and then tempts it to disobey! ” 


CHAPTER EIGHTEEN 


WHAT BAYAKD DID 

The next morning at eleven o’clock the fnr- 
longhmen, shouting and singing, marched up 
the hill back of the Library. Those of the first 
and third classes remaining in camp apathetic- 
ally watched them form in line awaiting the 
time-honored welcome. 

There was little Tim Croghan in a new suit 
of tweeds, the most rakish of straw hats, and, 
yes, he was actually sporting a swagger-stick 
— the delightful impudence of the boy! And 
close to him was big Ben Baker in a derby of 
the latest vintage. And over to the left of the 
formation lolled old Mick ” Rafferty in the 
shabbiest of outfits — evidently prepared for 
a hearty welcome was Mick,” with his good 
furlough suit at the bottom of the trunk ! And, 
oh, was it possible that was Billy Mead in a 
silk hat? — a real topper ” pushed back on 
his head at a most rakish angle! They were 
215 


216 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


such good sports, those furloughmen ! And so 
sure of their welcome home! 

Across the cavalry plain floated their joy- 
ous challenge. Again and again it came, deep- 
throated, vibrant. But there was no response 
from camp. 

Then followed a long silence. 

“ I simply canT bear it,” Bayard choked. 

They think we’re doing it on purpose.” 

Sydney Dodd, dressed in civilian clothes, for 
he was starting West at noon, put a hand on 
Bayard’s shoulder. 

‘‘ Don’t kick over the traces, old man. If the 
furloughmen misunderstand you now, they’ll 
know the truth once they come into camp. It’s 
only a matter of a few hours.” 

But they must he cut to the quick, Dodd. 
Think what it would have meant on your re- 
turn from furlough! ” 

“ Don’t think of anything, Bayard, but your 
duty as cadet quartermaster.” 

Across the cavalry plain the furloughmen 
were reassembling. Little Tim Croghan, as 
sergeant-major, was getting them into some 
new formation. Now they started to sing 


WHAT BAYARD DID 


217 


Benny Havens, Oh,’’ Rafferty’s high tenor 
voice ringing out above the others, thrillingly 
sweet and appealing. 

Bayard’s face quivered. 

Don’t watch them, old fellow,” urged 
Dodd, wishing that Stirling, Marr, or Raymond 
were within call. 

‘ ‘ When we returned from furlough last year, 
Dodd, they met us at the top of the hill, and 
little Tim Croghan — ’ ’ 

‘‘ Yes — yes, Bayard, but you must control 
yourself. Remember that you’re the only one 
of the Big Four in camp, and if you should 
fail—” 

Across the cavalry plain the furloughmen 
stopped singing ‘‘ Benny Havens, Oh,” and 
Rafferty started ‘‘ Should Auld Acquaintance 
be Forgot,” his voice quavering on the words. 

Bayard gulped a time or two and turned on 
his heel. 

Let’s go into the tent,” he said gruffly, 
“ I can’t be responsible for what I do out 
here! ” 

Dodd seated himself close to Bayard on the 
locker. 


218 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


It doesn’t pay to buck constituted author- 
ity, Chevalier. IVe learned it to my sorrow.” 

Bayard regarded his friend with dull eyes. 

‘ ‘ ‘ Pay ? ’ ” he repeated slowly. ‘ ^ What has 
‘ pay ’ to do with it? ” 

I mean that the consequences following an 
act of insubordination should keep one from 
yielding to a momentary impulse. In this in- 
stance I am sure that disobedience to the Super- 
intendent’s order would mean dismissal from 
the Academy.” 

‘‘ And what of that, Dodd, if one knew he 
were doing right ? ’ ’ 

Yes, if it ever could be right, Bayard, for 
a soldier to take the law into his own hands and 
refuse to obey the orders of his superiors. 
There’s an unpleasant word for that in military 
circles, you know. It’s called mutiny.” 

Bayard, beating time to the furloughmen’s 
song with one foot, scowled at his friend. 

And what if the order is an unjust one, 
Dodd? What if it puts one in a false light with 
one’s friends and comrades? What if it makes 
a man violate the instincts of his better nature ? 
What if it — ” 


WHAT BAYARD DID 


219 


Hold on there, Bayard! Even granting 
that your commanding officer is wrong, donT 
you still owe him obedience! Mustn’t you 
carry out his orders, whether those orders are 
to your liking or not? You remember that after 
the fatal charge of the Light Brigade at Bala- 
clava, Lord Cardigan said to the few who es- 
caped death: ‘ My men, some one has blun- 
dered ! ’ And they replied : ‘ Never mind, my 
lord, we are ready to charge again if it is your 
lordship’s command! ’ ” 

Across the cavalry plain the last wailing note 
of Auld Lang Syne ” died away. Bayard 
stirred uncomfortably, then suddenly sprang 
to his feet as if in response to a bugle-call. 

‘‘ What’s that? ” he gasped hoarsely, for the 
furloughmen had set up a great shout, a shout 
that seemed half-challenge, half-appeal, and as 
they shouted they started on a run towards 
camp. 

It was irresistible, that unpremeditated 
rush ” on the part of the furloughmen, and 
with an answering shout the men in camp 
started to meet their comrades. Bayard, sha- 
king otf Dodd’s restraining hand, was one 


220 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


of the first to reach sentinePs post number 
six. 

Behind him came old Sylvester; Brackett, 
the infallible; kindly, good-natured Doolittle; 
Sinclair, the studious; Riggs; Gronna; Boyd; 
Leffingwell Bryce ; and a score of others, among 
them Luke Bradford, sober-minded, conserva- 
tive Bradford, the very pattern of a cadet lieu- 
tenant, who looked upon a demerit for himself, 
at least, as a visible sign of an inward lack of 
grace, who loved his chevrons as he had never 
loved his class standing, whose splendid influ- 
ence had been felt by even the grossest ” 
plebe in camp, and who but the day before had 
been selected by the Tactical Department to 
succeed a cadet captain who had not made 
good.” Yet there he was, bringing up the rear, 
with a grim determination to stick by the class 
whether the class was right or wrong. 

‘‘ Another Bayard! ” thought Dodd sadly as 
he watched the insurgents gather on the sen- 
tinePs post. Another Bayard with a mis- 
taken sense of duty ! ’ ’ And even as he thought 
it Bayard turned as if to form the rushers ” 
into line. Dodd saw he was white to the lips 


WHAT BAYARD DID 


221 


and that lie trembled slightly as he put np a 
hand to command attention. 

‘‘ One moment, fellows,^’ he cried, his voice 
ringing out like a trumpet at drill, and then 
more sharply: Halt, I say! ” 

The onrushing line of gray and white pulled 
up short, awaiting the next order. 

Bayard moistened his dry lips. 

In the absence of the officer of the day 
I direct you to get back to your tents at 
once,’^ he thundered, quite unexpectedly. Not 
another step do you go — not another 
step! 

Dodd fairly gasped at this sudden change of 
front. As in a bad dream he saw the ragged 
line waver for a moment. Then he heard a 
taunting voice cry out : 

Come on, you fellows without chevrons. 
Stripes mean more to some men than class 
spirit. ’ ’ 

Bayard ^s eyes fairly blazed. 

You’ll answer to me for that remark later, 
Boyd, hut now you’ll go back to your tent at 
once, sir ! And you — and you — and you — ” 
turning to one man after the other. 


222 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


But, Bayard,’’ began Bradford argumen- 
tatively, the ‘ Supe ’ had no right — ” 

You heard my orders, Bradford! If any 
man dares step over this sentinel’s post, he 
does it at his own risk. ’ ’ 

Already the yearlings had backed otf to a re- 
spectful distance, and one by one the first class 
obeyed orders. The cadet officer of the day, 
buttoning his dress-coat as he ran up the com- 
pany street, took in the situation at a glance. 

Within a stone’s throw of camp the furlough 
class halted. The cheering died down. Bayard 
turned and faced his friends. He caught Tim 
Croghan’s eye. Then, without quite knowing 
why he did so, Bayard braced stiffly and saluted. 

The new sergeant-major looked puzzled and 
hurt, but something in Bayard’s face must have 
reassured him, for bringing his right hand up 
to the new straw hat, little Tim Croghan re- 
turned the salute quite gravely, and hardly a 
man in the furlough ranks but followed suit. 





CHAPTER NINETEEN 


BACK IK BAKRACKS 

‘ ^ And what did the Superintendent say when 
you told him what a close call we had on a 
mutiny the other morning? ’’ asked Lieutenant 
Truitt of his friend Griswold several days later. 

The older officer swallowed a grin. 

He wanted to court-martial the entire out- 
fit. 

For not disobeying him? ” laughed Truitt. 

Well, he said it was scandalous that half 
the battalion should have attempted to cross the 
sentinePs post after his express order to the 
contrary, and he wishes that young Bayard had 
not interfered. He said that he would have 
liked a chance to dismiss the entire lot from the 
Academy, and went so far as to suggest that 
I take the names of those who gathered on the 
sentinePs post and have them court-martialed 
for attempted disobedience! ’’ 

Truitt laughed again. 

223 


224 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


‘‘ I believe on my soul tbe old man was dis- 
appointed that nothing happened. Did he take 
occasion to tell you again that in his day such 
a thing could not have been contemplated, much 
less carried through? 

‘‘ Yes. He also said that the Academy is 
deteriorating every year — that as an old grad- 
uate it pains him to see the tone of the place 
lowered — that the pranks of to-day were un- 
known in his time — and that — ’ ^ 

His class in particular had such high ideals 
that he cannot bring himself to understand or 
sympathize with the escapades of the present 
generation? ” 

Precisely,^’ nodded Griswold. And then: 
‘‘I’m told that there’s to be a reunion here of 
the Colonel’s class in June. It will be interest- 
ing to see such paragons of virtue.” 

Truitt shook his head in mock despair. 

“ As the good die young, I’m afraid there ’re 
few of the class left! ” 

“ There can’t be many,” agreed Lieutenant 
Griswold with a prodigious wink. 

Back in barracks again the first class found 
the academic work much harder than it had 


BACK IN BARRACKS 


225 


been the previous year, for second class spring 
is noted as an oasis in the arid desert of the 
course, as lectures in Philosophy and Chemistry 
on alternate days give the men a little spare 
time to themselves. Now the books drawn from 
the Commissary comprised Military and Civil 
Engineering, Ordnance and Gunnery, Interna- 
tional Law and History; and while Ordnance 
and Law were comparatively easy for most of 
the class, hardly a man, with the possible excep- 
tion of Franklin, but found the dry mathemat- 
ics in Engineering very difficult, for not only 
were the lessons long and hard, but in addition 
all the illustrations had to be copied into a 
note-book provided for that purpose, some of 
these drawings being most complicated and 
puzzling. 

In Law the class recited one day on the hu- 
mane rules of warfare and the amelioration of 
its severities, and the next day learned in the 
Ordnance recitation how to make the most ter- 
rific explosives and destructive projectiles, dis- 
cussing the relative killing power ’’ of grape, 
shrapnel, and canister shot. 

In the artillery drills, which, as usual, sup- 


226 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


planted battalion drill in October, the first class 
officers acted as assistants to the tactical offi- 
cers, and on alternate afternoons they prac- 
tised pontoon and spar bridge building on the 
river, thus putting their military engineering 
to practical use. Also on October first they 
packed away their white trousers to don the 
more prosaic gray. As usual this seemingly 
trivial event cast a gloom over the Corps, be- 
cause white trousers and the joys of summer 
are inseparably connected at West Point, so 
much so that even to the spectators at parade 
it seems as if winter really were at hand once 
the Corps appears in solid gray, even though 
the hills around the Academy still wear their 
summer uniform of green with epaulettes gor- 
geously colored by the autumn. 

One rainy Saturday afternoon towards the 
end of October, as Stirling sat in his room alone 
writing a somewhat belated letter to his old 
friend and comrade, Sergeant Donnelly, he be- 
came suddenly aware of a commotion in the hall 
outside. He put down his pen to listen. Feet 
were running thither and yon. Excited voices 
were heard, but low-pitched and tense. Ques- 


BACK IN BARRACKS 


227 


tions were asked and answered almost breath- 
lessly. Suddenly his door flew open and Riggs, 
panting and round-eyed with horror, burst into 
the room. 

What is it? ’’ Jack asked, holding himself 
well in hand. 

Riggs swallowed nervously a time or two, 
moistened his lips, and then half- whispered : 

Adonis is dead! ’’ 

“Dead? Adonis!’’ Jack repeated the 
words stupidly. 

“ He was killed by Indians.” Riggs’ voice 
shook. 

Stirling was on his feet, but found that he 
had to steady himself against the table. 

“ When? ” he asked, and hung on Riggs’ an- 
swer as if the date were the most important 
thing about the catastrophe. 

“ I don’t know exactly.” 

“ What have you heard? ” 

“ Nothing much in detail. It seems that the 
troop went out after the Indians, a renegade 
band, you know, under Spotted Face.” 

“ Yes — yes, I know. But Adonis — ? ” 

“ Well, as usual, the Indians played a game 


228 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


of hide and seek with the soldiers, a long game 
that lasted all summer, but finally the troop 
caught up with them and a sharp fight ensued, 
in which Adonis proved his mettle.’’ 

Jack put a hand to his collar as if to loosen it. 

And then? ” he urged. 

‘‘ And then,” Riggs went on, the troop 
with some twenty prisoners of war started back 
to the post. But it seems that half-way there 
the Apache guide turned traitor. It may be 
that on seeing his tribesmen in such a plight 
he repented his part in the transaction, or again 
he may have been threatened by the Indians. 
Anyway he made an attempt upon the life of 
the first sergeant one morning at daybreak and 
Adonis, overhearing the racket, rushed into 
the tent just in time to save the sergeant’s life, 
but in the struggle he himself was mortally 
wounded. He lived, though, to get back to the 
post, and the commanding officer said that he 
expressed but one wish, to be buried at West 
Point.” 

It’s to be done, of course? ” 

Yes, the body, in charge of an old soldier 
of the regiment, arrives here next week.” 


BACK IN BARRACKS 


229 


Jack drew a long breath. 

‘‘ Oh, Riggs, how little we appreciated him 
when he was with ns ! ” 

Riggs shrugged his shoulders. 

^ ^ I ’m not so sure of that. He may have been 
a brave man, but he wasn’t an honest one.” 

If he’d had the same opportunity to prove 
his honesty that he had to prove his bravery 
I’m sure he could have done it,” flamed Stir- 
ling. 

Possibly,” admitted Riggs, but circum- 
stantial evidence — ” 

Is not always reliable,” finished Jack, sit- 
ting down again as if to go on with his letter. 

A few moments later Lieutenant Griswold 
sent for Jack to come to his office. 

Mr. Stirling, I’ve a message for you from 
Lieutenant Ward.” 

In spite of himself Jack’s lips trembled, but 
the tactical officer appeared not to see. Open- 
ing a drawer in his desk he brought out a letter, 
and without looking up, said tentatively : 

It may be that you never heard anything 
detrimental to Lieutenant Ward’s character? ” 
Jack was silent. 


230 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


‘ ^ So ! The story followed him even here, eh ? 
That story about the theft when he was on re- 
cruiting duty? 

Yes, sir.’^ Jack hated to say it. 

“ Well, he thought so — Lieutenant Ward, I 
mean — and he appreciated your conduct al- 
ways. He said that on the night of the — um 

— the ‘ Silence, ’ you tried to talk. He said that 
you were always like that. And on the night 
he left—’’ 

Jack swallowed uncomfortably, and Lieuten- 
ant Griswold struck open the letter with a 
shaking hand. 

‘‘ He — he wants you to know. Jack — ” the 
tactical officer was quite unconscious that he had 
not said Mr. Stirling — “he wants you to know 
that he’s been cleared of that accusation of 
theft. The man he saved from the Indian scout 

— the man he gave his life to save — was the 
real thief. It seems the sergeant confessed at 
the end. He was on recruiting duty with Lieu- 
tenant Ward. His only son was in trouble, and 

— well, he forged the check and held hi^ tongue, 
not to save his own skin, mind you, but to save 
his son from disgrace, for once he was known 


BACK IN BARRACKS 


231 


as the thief the reason why he stole would have 
been known also. The sergeant felt, you see, 
that since his superior officer was cleared tech- 
nically everything was all right. 

Jack clenched his hands to steady them. 

And all these years. Lieutenant,’^ his voice 
shook pitifully, and all these years — ” 

Yes, all these years Ward has suffered os- 
tracism and reproach and scorn. It was his fine 
record here as a tactical officer that took him 
back to the regiment in the end. I saw to that, 
iny boy, and now — now his name is cleared, 
for many people who did not know about the 
court-martial knew that he had missed the Rain- 
in-the-Face campaign, and despised him as a 
sneak and a coward.” Lieutenant Griswold 
threw back his head as if in defiance. ‘ ‘ I never 
knew a braver gentleman than he, Mr. Stir- 
ling, and you recognized the Prince for all his 
rags. ’ ’ 

Jack spoke by a great effort: 

‘‘ I knew, sir, that a man who had gone 
through four years of West Point could hardly 
have come out of it such a craven. I knew that 
in spite of appearances there must be some ex- 


232 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


planation of Ms conduct, and then, too, his eyes 
were brave — and so kind. ’ ’ 

The young officer lifted a small green-cov- 
ered book from his desk. On top of the book 
lay a class ring. 

Lieutenant Ward sent you these little me- 
mentoes, Mr. Stirling, in appreciation of your 
friendship and trust.’’ 

Jack slipped the ring into the front of his 
coat and opened the book at random. A marked 
paragraph caught his eye : 

“ Happy are they to whom life brings, not 
ease and physical comfort, but great chances 
for heroism, sacrifice, and service! ” 

Then farther down the page: 

‘‘ One who knows what to be grateful for 
would thank God for Drake’s chance to die, 
sword in hand, facing his foes half a world from 
home; for Sidney’s opportunity to pass on the 
cup of water to one whose thirst had less to 
assuage it; for Livingstone’s noble home-com- 
ing, borne in sorrow and silence out of the heart 


BACK IN BARRACKS 


233 


of the dark continent on the shoulders of men 
who could not measure his greatness but who 
reverenced his spirit/’ 

When Jack looked up again his eyes were full 
of tears. Lieutenant Griswold was speaking: 

Since reading the passages marked by 
Lieutenant Ward in your book, Mr. Stirling, 
it’s come to me as never before that the soldier 
and the priest alike serve something higher 
than materiality. The one battles for an in- 
visible, spiritual God, the other for the spiritual 
thing he calls his country and his flag, for if 
the flag were a mere piece of bunting and the 
country just a certain area on the earth’s sur- 
face, soldiers would be no better than paid 
assassins who go forth to kill.” He stopped 
suddenly, as if embarrassed at his own elo- 
quence, and then, because of something in 
Jack’s face, he went on slowly, as if weighing 
every word : 

After all, it is the underlying, spiritual 
sense of country for which the soldier fights, 
just as it is the underlying, spiritual sense of 
God which all true ministers serve, whatever 


234 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


their creed or denomination, and in onr war- 
fare, Mr. Stirling, iUs never the man we fight, 
but the wrong thing the man stands for.^’ 

Jack nodded under standingly, and after a 
moment of silence, said: 

I’m glad that Lieutenant Ward had a 
chance to prove his worth, sir, and I’m glad, 
too, that his name was cleared before he died. 
Sometimes such things come too late to make 
up for what we’ve suffered.” 

Lieutenant Griswold’s hard face kindled as if 
from an inward flame. 

They’re only too late for those of us who ’re 
left behind. Jack. I’m sure the others know! ” 
A week from that day the once-despised 
‘ ‘ Adonis, ’ ’ now the regretted idol of the Corps, 
was buried with military honors. The flag- 
covered coffin was carried to the cemetery on 
a caisson. Behind the caisson walked an old 
sergeant of cavalry, his wrinkled cheeks frankly 
tear-stained. He led a riderless horse, saddled 
and bridled, with a pair of worn cavalry boots 
in the stirrups, the toes of the boots pointing 
to the rear. Then came the band, its drums 
muffled, and finally the corps of cadets, march- 


BACK IN BARRACKS 


235 


ing slowly with reversed arms. After the serv- 
ice at the grave the Corps fired a volley of three 
rounds over the coffin, and a trumpeter sounded 
Taps,^^ that sad lights out ’’ of all military 
funerals. Then the band struck up a lively air 
and the battalion marched back to barracks at 
a quick-step. 









CHAPTER TWENTY 


A SNOW-STORM 

Following close on the funeral of Lieutenant 
Ward, winter settled down upon West Point, 
the winter of its discontent, for on November 
first all drills ceased, and riding in the Hall, 
studies, and voluntary work In the Gymnasium 
made up the life of the Corps. And then, as 
if to relieve the monotony of their gray exist- 
ence, out of a typical gray November sky came 
the first snow of the season, and almost a month 
ahead of time — a snow that covered the ground 
several inches deep and put an end to dress 
parade ; a snow that turned the old hill back of 
barracks into a jolly coasting place for the 
upper classmen; a snow that hung the bare 
trees with glittering foliage, and softened the 
barren view up the Hudson. 

As it came just a day or so before Thanks- 
giving, which was to be celebrated that year 
by an afternoon cotillion in the old Mess Hall, 
236 


A SNOW-STORM 


237 


the ‘‘ bachelors ’’ of the three upper classes 
planned a grand coasting-party by themselves, 
with no end of hob-sleds at their disposal ; and 
so it happened that when a little note was 
handed to Jack Stirling in the last mail the 
evening before Thanksgiving he eyed it rather 
suspiciously, for in Cadet Barracks little notes 
daintily addressed usually mean some social 
obligation which has to he fulfilled. 

Turning the envelope over in his hand, Jack 
confided regretfully to Bayard : 

‘‘I’m almost afraid to open it! ” 

“You mean that you think it’s an invitation 
to Thanksgiving dinner? ” Bayard’s voice was 
sympathetic. 

“ Yes, or else some misguided friend of the 
family is on the post and will have to be es- 
corted to the cotillion to-morrow afternoon.” 

“ Oh, Jack, couldn’t you go on sick report? ” 

“ But what good would that do? If I go on 
sick report, I’d have to miss the coasting.” 

Clearly it was a serious matter, and Bayard 
brought his massive intellect to bear upon it. 

“ Perhaps Eaymond would take your place 
at the cotillion,” he suggested. “ I hear that 


238 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

his partner, Belle McDonald, had to throw him 
over at the last moment because of an unex- 
pected family reunion in New York.^’ 

But Jack, ripping open the note, suddenly 
bubbled over with delight as he read the sig- 
nature. 

Why, Bayard, you’d never guess who’s 
writing me ! It ’s Marie Harding ! ’ ’ 

Bayard jumped to his feet in excitement. 

‘‘ Marie Harding! But I thought the envel- 
ope was postmarked West Point! ” 

‘‘ And so it is,” laughed Jack. 

‘‘ Then she’s on the reservation? ” incredu- 
lously. 

“Yes, she’s at the Commandant’s again — 
she and Carroll Carr.” 

“ Why, it’s just like our yearling camp. If 
only your mother were here, too ! ’ ’ 

“ Wish she were,” returned Jack, and after 
a moment of heroic resolution: “ I’ll tell you 
what it is, Bayard, if Marie wants me to take 
her to the cotillion. I’ll do it! Marie’s fun 
enough to make even a cotillion endurable. It 
would be almost like going with another fel- 
low. ’ ’ 


A SNOW-STORM 


239 


But perhaps she’s already engaged for 
the afternoon,” submitted Bayard. She 
may be just writing to let you know she’s 
here.” 

J ack read for a moment in silence, and Bay- 
ard watched his face change from incredulous 
amazement to delight. 

Listen to this ! ” Jack cried at last. Just 
listen to this, Bayard! ” And then reading 
from the note in his hand : 

‘‘ ‘ Carroll Carr and I are here for Thanks- 
giving Day only, and we’re wondering if you 
and Bayard won’t take us coasting in the after- 
noon — that is, of course, if you’re not already 
engaged for the cotillion — ’ ” 

Here, in lieu of an exclamation-point, Marie 
had drawn a funny little cadet pirouetting 
around on one foot. And then : 

‘‘ ‘ Please break it to me gently if you can’t 
come, for I’ve been counting on it. 

‘ Chummily yours, 

‘ Maeie.’ ” 


240 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Isn’t that just like her? ” cried Bayard 
enthusiastically. 

‘‘ She’s the only girl I ever knew who’d cut 
a dance for out-of-door sports,” affirmed Stir- 
ling. 

Yes, and she told me once. Jack, that she’d 
rather see a ball-game any time than go to a 
matinee.” 

She meant it, too, Chevalier. She’s up on 
all the scores and batting averages of the year. 
She can discuss out-curves and in-curves and 
drops. As for football, she knows more about 
it than I ever knew, and she made me feel the 
summer she was here that West Point misses 
a lot in keeping out of intercollegiate sports.” 

“ But where would we find time for such 
things. Jack, except in second class spring? ” 

That’s true,” agreed Jack, and then as 
Raymond poked his head around the door: 

Come in, Mizzoo. Have you heard who’s 
here? ” 

Your mother and father? ” hazarded Ray- 
mond after a glance at Stirling’s excited face. 

No! ” 

‘ ‘ My next best guess is Sergeant Donnelly. ’ ’ 


A SNOW-STORM 


241 


Wrong again! ’’ 

‘ ‘ Then it must be Marie Harding ! ’ ’ 

Right yon are, Mizzoo, but how did you 
ever guess ? ’ ’ 

Because there are so few people whose 
goings or comings interest you, Jack/’ 

Carroll Carr’s here, too,” put in Bayard. 
‘‘ And they want us to take them coasting 
to-morrow afternoon,” interrupted Jack. 

“ But it’s the day of the cotillion,” pro- 
tested Raymond. Oh, I say. Jack, you 
oughtn’t to keep the girls away from that. 
And such nice girls, too ! ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ But they want to be kept away from it ! ” 
chuckled Stirling, thrusting the note into Ray- 
mond’s hand. ‘‘ Read that! ” 

'A moment later Raymond looked up. 

“ Aren’t you on duty to-morrow, Bayard? ” 
“ Yes, worse luck! ” 

Well, I’m going in your place, then. As 
you may have heard, my partner for the co- 
tillion pulled out at the last moment and I’m 
free to do what I please.” 

But you haven’t been asked,” teased Stir- 
ling. 


242 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Then I^m coming without an invitation,’^ 
affirmed the once over-sensitive Missourian. 

“ Come along,” cried Jack, getting out his 
writing materials. 

Tell Marie she’s so fascinating that even 
Beau Brummel has succumbed to her charms 
and cut a cotillion,” mocked Bayard from his 
comer. 

Jack scowled over the envelope he was ad- 
dressing. 

‘‘ Don’t ever use that word again in con- 
nection with Marie, Bayard! ” 

You mean ^ fascinating? ’ But why 
not? ” stammered Bayard, covered with con- 
fusion. 

‘‘ Because I hate the sort of girl fellows call 
fascinating — the sort that make eyes at you 
when they talk — and hint for hell buttons — 
and want to wear your class ring — and — 
and expect you to help them over the mud 
puddles on Flirtation.” 

‘‘ Like Carroll Carr in yearling camp? ” 
laughed Raymond. ^ ‘ My ! How she fooled us 
all. Do you remember. Jack? ” 

‘‘ Yes, and I couldn’t understand Mother 


A SNOW-STORM 


243 


cottoning to snch a girl, for Mother’s a brick 
herself. ’ ’ 

She certainly made a fool of little Riggs,” 
grinned Bayard. 

‘‘ And of Lampton and McCallnm, too! ” 

‘‘ While Raymond saw through her masquer- 
ade all the time.” 

“ No, only she overacted the part once or 
twice and it made me suspicious.” 

“ But Marie Harding knew? ” 

Yes, from the very beginning. It seems 
she’d read Carroll’s book and realized that the 
girl was only pretending to be so silly and 
helpless. ’ ’ 

‘‘ You mean so fascinating! ” corrected Bay- 
ard with a grin in Jack’s direction. 

Well, isn’t that what some of the class 
called her ? ’ ’ demanded J ack almost fiercely. 
^‘^Fascinating,’ indeed! Now, why can’t a 
girl be as square and aboveboard as a man? 
And as self-reliant? Take Marie Harding, for 
example. Hid you happen to know that she’s 
a crack shot with a rifle? Well, she is! And 
I don’t believe there’s a horse in existence she 
couldn’t ride. And she swims like a fish — ” 


244 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER - STRAPS 

“ And plays a bully game of tennis,’^ re- 
minded Raymond. 

And walks as well as if she werenT ham- 
pered with skirts/^ went on Jack. Then sym- 
pathetically: Gee! It’s an awful pity she 

had to he a girl. ’ ’ 

Not at all,” vouchsafed Raymond. ‘‘ It’s 
only too bad that there aren’t more girls like 
her! ” 


CHAPTER TWENTY -ONE 


A COASTING PARTY 

The next afternoon Stirling and Raymond 
were the observed of all observers on the hill 
back of barracks, for their companions were the 
only girls coasting that day, and, moreover, 
both of them were so athletic in bnild that they 
required no helping up the long hill after the 
glorious rush downward, as was customary 
with most of the young women belonging to the 
garrison, for in those old days it was rather the 
fashion for girls to be lovely burdens,’’ and, 
as some one aptly puts it, if the burden often 
outweighed the loveliness, at least the theory 
of romance was preserved. 

Carroll Carr, daintily small and helpless- 
looking, was in reality almost as strong as Marie 
Harding, who in turn rivalled Stirling and Ray- 
mond, not only in height, but in endurance as 
well. Stirling thought that he had never seen 
the two girls look better, for Carroll ’s pink-and- 
245 


246 CHEVJIONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


white prettiness was set off to advantage by 
dark furs, while Marie Harding wore a long 
crimson coat, the crimson wing in her hat em- 
phasizing the color in her cheeks, already 
heightened by the cold and excitement. 

“ Clear the track — 

For good old Jack! 

chanted Raymond at the foot of the hill as Stir- 
ling and Marie flashed by like a gray and crim- 
son streak late in the afternoon. 

We beat ^em down, 

That’s why they frown! ” 

added Carroll Carr in the same singsong metre. 

Marie scrambled to her feet as Stirling skill- 
fully brought the sled to a stop at the side of 
the road, not a stone’s throw from where Ray- 
mond and his companion were standing. Ap- 
parently seeing them for the first time, Marie 
clapped her hands as she chanted a mimicking : 

** Why, there’s Mizzoo — 

And Carroll, too! 

To get here first. 

They must have flew! ” 



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A COASTING PARTY 


247 


‘‘ Oh,’^ protested Carroll Carr, covering her 
ears in mock horror, ‘‘ what awful grammar. 
Miss Harding! 

But it’s not grammar,” Marie defended 
herself, ‘‘ it’s poetic license! ” 

“No more let poesy with license writ 
Usurp the name of eloquence and wit, ” 

parodied Carroll over her shoulder as she and 
Raymond trudged slowly up the hill. 

Marie turned to Jack, who was still stooping 
over the sled. 

“ Is there something very wrong with the 
steering gear? ” she asked quietly. 

Stirling looked up in amazement. 

“ Yes, decidedly wrong, Marie. We’d a 
mighty narrow escape coming down. I didn’t 
think you knew it, though! ” 

“ I was sure there was something the matter 
when we swerved so up there by the turn.” 

“ And yet you didn’t cry out or make the 
slightest fuss,” admiringly. 

“ Why, of course not. Jack.” 

“ And you knew the danger just as I did! ” 


248 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


‘ ‘ I knew that we were liable to have a tumble 
if you couldn’t control the gear.” 

“ But weren’t you nervous? ” 

Marie laughed outright. 

‘‘ Father says I haven’t any nerves, except 
in the singular number. ’ ’ 

I believe that’s one reason I like you so 
much,” Jack volunteered. 

Marie swept him a low bow. 

‘‘ Thanks, Mr. Stirling, for the compliment. 
I’d rather be loved for my bravery than my 
beauty! ” 

But you’re good-looking, too,” conceded 
Stirling generously, especially in that red 
coat! ” 

It is a pretty coat,” acknowledged the girl, 
looking down on the garment in question with- 
out a trace of self-consciousness, and then: 

Can’t I help with your repairs on the sled. 
Jack? I’m rather handy in that way.” 

No, thanks, Marie. Just join Carroll and 
Raymond for a bit, while I run over to bar- 
racks for a monkey-wrench. It won’t take me 
long to get our mountain-goat on its feet 
again! ” 


A COASTING PARTY 


249 


But the repairs took more time than Stirling 
thought, so on his return from barracks he 
dragged the sled over to some hushes a little 
off the road, the merry din of the coasters and 
the lengthening shadows of the afternoon both 
urging haste upon him. 

Engrossed with his work, Stirling was only 
half-conscious a little later that two cadets 
walking on the other side of the low bushes 
were discussing something very earnestly, but 
suddenly catching his own name he pricked up 
his ears. 

‘‘ Yes, Stirling and Miss Harding are en- 
gaged,^’ one of the voices affirmed. I hear 
it’s an affair of long standing, and that they’re 
to be married right after graduation. ’ ’ 

Jack grinned as he pictured Marie’s face 
when he should tell her this extraordinary piece 
of news, hut suddenly the grin froze on his lips 
for the other man, a well-known yearling, was 
saying: 

Any one to look at Miss Harding can see 
that she’s head over heels in love with Jack. 
I never saw a girl who showed it more 
plainly! ” And then, while Stirling was still 


250 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


debating whether or not to make his presence 
known, the two cadets walked away. 

Finishing the repairs on the sled Stirling got 
to his feet at last, a little stiff with the cold, 
and walked slowly towards the bottom of the 
hill, where Marie stood alone waiting for him. 

Was it possible that this girl he had known 
from childhood was the one the yearlings had 
been discussing? It was absurd to think of 
Marie in any other light than that of a friend ! 
Why, only yesterday he had stolen her doll and 
scalped it with a carving-knife. And only yes- 
terday she had written him that jolly note 
signed ‘‘ Chnmmily yonrs! Oh, it was ab- 
surd — 

And yet — and yet — hadn’t his own father 
and mother become engaged during his father’s 
first class year? And then, too, the man had 
said that Marie cared! That she showed she 
cared! 

Stirling groaned aloud. What was the hon- 
orable thing to do? Must he tell Marie what 
he had overheard? Or must he find out first 
if she really loved him? And if she did love 
him, what then? It was very puzzling! 


A COASTING PARTY 


251 


•When Stirling reached the foot of the hill 
Marie ran' forward to help him with the sled. 

Hnrry, Jack/’ she cried, we’ve so little 
daylight left! ” 

Stirling tried to langh, but the laugh stuck in 
his throat. He could feel the girl’s surprised 
glance through his lowered eyelids. 

Marie,” he blurted out at last, somewhat 
hoarsely, ‘ ‘ Marie, I — I want to ask you some- 
thing — ” he stopped short, covered with con- 
fusion. 

The girl dropped the rope of the sled as if 
it had burned her fingers. Jack dropped his 
end of it too. 

‘‘ Well? ” she prompted at last. What is 
it. Jack? ” 

Steadied by her quiet voice Stirling went on 
almost desperately: 

Marie, do you love me? ” — nor was the 
misguided youth aware that in conforming to 
what he thought honor demanded of him, he 
had been less chivalrous than truthful. In all 
conscience he couldn’t say that he loved his old 
friend, but, of course, if she had grown to love 
him he would prove himself faithful to his 


252 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


obligations as became a high-principled man! 
So, once again, he essayed the difficult question, 
and this time the girl fell back a pace or two 
and stared at him incredulously, her cheeks 
flaming. 

Let’s join Carroll and John,” she said at 
last, rather breathlessly, but Stirling was not 
to be put off. 

‘‘I’m quite in earnest, Marie.” 

For a long moment she searched his face with 
troubled eyes, and then sank slowly to the 
ground, covering her flaming cheeks with her 
hands, while her shoulders shook convulsively, 
as if she were strongly moved. 

‘ ‘ Heavens ! ’ ’ thought the boy miserably, 
“ she does care! I wonder what I’d better say 
next? I wonder what I ought to say? ” But 
before he could quite make up his mind, Marie 
had lifted her head, and Stirling saw to his 
amazement that she was shaking with laughter. 

“ Oh, Jack,” she cried, rocking backward 
and forward in the snow, and trying in vain 
to steady her voice, “ the very idea of senti- 
ment between us is so absurd that I can’t help 
laughing. And then, too, your expression was 


A COASTING PARTY 


253 


so funny. It reminded me of the time you asked 
Carroll Carr to go to a hop in yearling camp, 
because your mother wanted it, and in the same 
breath all but begged her not to accept the invi- 
tation.’’ She shook again at the remembrance, 
but controlling herself by a great effort, con- 
tinued : ‘ ‘ As to caring for you in a sentimental 
way. Jack Stirling, why, I’d just as soon think 
of being in love with one of my college chums.” 

Stirling showed his relief in an expansive 
grin. 

And I like you, Marie, in exactly the same 
way that I like Raymond or Bayard.” 

That’s something to be proud of,” ap- 
proved the girl. ‘ ‘ I — I hate sentimentality 
and slush. Don’t ever attempt it again, Jack,” 
and springing to her feet without Stirling’s 
proffered assistance, Marie shook out her skirts. 
^ ‘ Race you up the hill, ’ ’ she challenged. ‘ ‘ One, 
two, three, we’re otf ! ” 

And up they flew, Marie in the lead for a 
time. But at last Jack outdistanced her. Smi- 
ling, rosy, and out of breath she reached the 
top of the hill, where Jack, somewhat breath- 
less himself, waited for her. 


254 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


I^m glad you didn’t let me beat you through 
a mistaken sense of gallantry, Jack. I like to 
have you play fair with me — in everything ! ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ And I always shall — Comrade ! ’ ’ He 
brought out the word hesitatingly. 

Marie, rosier than ever, thrust out two mit- 
tened hands, which Jack shook very solemnly. 

I like that new title,” the girl said softly, 
” and I shall try to prove myself worthy of 
it always ! ’ ’ 

‘‘Hello there!” came Raymond’s voice at 
their backs, and then in a teasing singsong: 

“ Jack and Jill 
Ran up the hill 
And left their sled 
Behind them! ” 

“ Why, so we did,” chuckled Jack. “ You 
were a brick to haul it up, old man ! ’ ’ 

“ But of all foolish things,” scolded Carroll 
Carr. “ And racing up that steep slope like 
two children! ” 

“ But that’s all we are, Carroll dear, just 
children! ” affirmed Marie Harding, with a 
smile which only Jack understood. 


CHAPTER TWENTY -TWO 


KAYMOND HAS A FALL 

A FORTNIGHT later the snow had disappeared 
and the riding-instructor took the first class 
riding sections out on the cavalry plain to pre- 
pare them for the exhibition drills to be given 
in June before the Board of Visitors. 

As happens each year there were numberless 
runaways at first, but soon the horses calmed 
down sufficiently to make the rides less danger- 
ous, and the instructor allowed the sections to 

charge,’’ a distinct tribute to their skill as 
horsemen. 

Retiring to the far end of the plain, they 
would draw sabres, and start out on a trot, the 
trot giving way to a canter; and the canter to 
a gallop; until finally the horses would be let 
out in a mad dash, the first classmen demolish- 
ing imaginary foes with their sabres, while the 
horses, as excited as their riders, reared and 
plunged and acted generally as if they were try- 
255 


256 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


ing to jump the hedge in front of the old 
hotel. 

On one side of Raymond that memorable 
morning in December rode Jack Stirling, sit- 
ting his horse as few men ever do, while on 
the other side Bradford was having some 
trouble with a vicious brute that kicked and 
plunged and tried to stand on its head even 
at a gallop. 

Faster and faster they went, Raymond giving 
rein to his horse with a delicious sense of ex- 
hilaration, for he had developed into one of 
the best riders of the class, when suddenly in 
the midst of the mad charge something hap- 
pened that made his heart stop beating for one 
suffocating moment. 

The girth of the saddle had broken, and even 
as Raymond realized it the saddle began to 
turn. 

Excited by the antics of the horse beside him 
Raymond’s steed rose up straight in the air. 
Galloping wildly as the other horses were, and 
in close order, Raymond saw his danger, but 
there was no help for it, and a moment later 
both saddle and rider were raked off on to the 


RAYMOND HAS A FALL 


257 


hard ground, Raymond lying quite still as he 
remembered the instructor’s oft-repeated asser- 
tion that no horse would deliberately step on 
a man. 

It was an ugly fall, and the instructor went 
white as he saw it, but before he could get back 
to Raymond, that young gentleman had strug- 
gled to his feet, a little breathless and dazed, 
but still gritty and anxious to continue the 
ride. 

The instructor, however, was obdurate. 

Go back to your room at once, Mr. Ray- 
mond,” he ordered. And I advise you to lie 
down a bit before dinner.” 

Somewhat sulkily Raymond obeyed, and very, 
very slowly, with only a dizzy sense of how 
he accomplished it at all, he returned to bar- 
racks. 

There he almost paralyzed a certain yearling 
corporal by standing stiffly at attention and 
saluting as if he, the great Raymond, had been 
a plebe rather than the ranking captain of the 
battalion, and the object of special admiration 
to this particular corporal. 

He’s certainly off his base,” the young man 


258 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


confided a moment later to his room-mate. 
<< Why, yon ought to have seen him stand at 
attention and say ‘ sir ^ after every word when 
I tried to find out what was the matter.’’ 

‘‘ Oh, he was just doing it for fun,” yawned 
the other yearling. 

But the corporal was not reassured. 

‘‘ It was his looks more than his manner,” he 
went on in a worried voice. ‘ ‘ He was so white, 
you know, and so queer about the eyes. He 
acted exactly like a plebe, and a well-hazed 
plehe, at that ! ’ ’ 

Just then the drum for dinner sounded in 
the area of barracks, and the battalion formed 
to march over to the Mess Hall. Marr, running 
up to his room, found Raymond stretched out, 
face downwards, on the floor. He went over 
to him quickly. 

‘‘ Were you pretty badly shaken up, old 
chap? ” he asked. 

Raymond looked at his friend with lack- 
lustre eyes. 

Life in a penitentiary couldn’t be worse 
than life at West Point as a plebe,” he said 
very distinctly. And then: ‘‘But I’m going 


‘ MIZZOO,’ 


HE PLEADED, 
YOU TO 


MIZZOO, OLD FELLOW, LET ME TAKE 
THE hospital’” 



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RAYMOND HAS A FALL 


259 


to stick it through, Marr. I^m going to grad- 
uate here if it kills me to do it ! ^ ^ 

Marr, thoroughly frightened, shook Raymond 
by the arm. 

Mizzoo,’^ he pleaded, Mizzoo, old fellow, 
let me take you to the hospital. YouVe had 
a nasty fall. That cut on the back of your head 
is bleeding all over your collar.’^ 

But Raymond shook off the restraining hand 
and sprang up from the floor. 

‘‘ Nonsense, Marr,” he protested, with a 
return of his natural manner, ‘‘I’m not such a 
softy as to go to the hospital for a little scratch 
like that! ” 

By this time both men were in the area, and a 
moment later the Corps had swung off towards 
the Mess Hall with Raymond marching like an 
automaton in his place as first captain. 

“ Watch Mizzoo,” whispered Marr to Frank- 
lin as they took their seats at the table, of which 
Raymond was “ commandant.” “ His fall 
seems to have made him ‘ loco.’ ” 

At first nothing untoward happened, except 
that Raymond, who was usually the life of the 
table, fell strangely silent, and scarcely took his 


260 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


eyes from his plate, bracing like the veriest 
plebe and answering every remark addressed 
to him with a respectful Yes, sir,’’ or ‘‘ No, 
sir. ’ ’ 

Finally he broke the silence with some anec- 
dote of plebe year, telling it as an occurrence 
of the day before. Then he brought up griev- 
ances and worries long past, but becoming more 
cheerful he began to sing some of the trash 
taught him in plebe camp, and as he sang 
his color rose and his eyes grew unnaturally 
bright. 

Attracted by the uproar, for no one at the 
table could quiet Raymond, Lieutenant Gris- 
wold walked slowly down the Mess Hall. The 
nearer the table he came the louder Raymond 
sang, his eyes seeming to challenge the officer 
in charge. Lieutenant Griswold frowned heav- 
ily and sprang towards the first captain, but 
before he could speak Marr had stepped to his 
side with a quiet: 

‘‘ Lieutenant, Mr. Raymond had a hard fall 
at riding this morning. I don’t believe he 
knows what he’s doing, sir. He — he seems to 
think that he’s a plebe again.” 


RAYMOND HAS A FALL 


261 


The young officer looked at Raymond search- 
ingly. Then his face softened. 

Report with him to the hospital immedi- 
ately after dinner, Mr. Marr, and try to see the 
doctor in person that he may know exactly what 
has happened to Mr. Raymond. ’ ’ 

But Mr. Raymond was not in a tractable 
mood. He declined very positively to go to 
the hospital. 

I canT afford it,’’ he shouted. “ I’ve got 
to put in every moment on ‘ Math, ’ and any- 
body knows that a week in the hospital at this 
part of the course would ‘ find ’ a man. And I 
won’t be ‘ found. ’ I tell you I won’t be ‘ found ! ’ 
Didn’t I once challenge the professor of Math- 
ematics to ‘ find ’ me? Well, I challenge the 
whole Academy to ‘ find ’ me in anything — 
anything! Bring on the ‘ Supe ’ and let him try 
it if he dares! Bring on the whole Academic 
Board! Bring on the Tactical Department! 
Bring on the upper classmen! ” But here the 
voice trailed off into a low moan and Raymond 
had fainted in Lieutenant Griswold’s arms. 

That afternoon about five o’clock Raymond 
woke up in the hospital, and looked around. 


262 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

He was perfectly clear-headed, bat had no re- 
membrance of the morning’s doings after his 
fall from the horse. As he was not hurt, except 
for a little cut on the hack of his head, he was 
allowed to return to barracks next day, and the 
number of things he was supposed to have done 
while nutty ” grew with the telling. 

Yes, sir,” little Riggs had insisted, ‘‘ yes, 
sir, Mizzoo, you went straight up to the 
‘ Supe’s ’ after being dismissed from riding, 
and you said to him : ‘ Mr. Supe, it is my pain- 
ful duty to inform you that from now on the 
drum-major will assume your duties, while you 
are to take his place as leader of the band, 
though I must say, in all candor, sir, that you’re 
not nearly the figure of a man the drum-major 
is. And as for your carriage, Mr. Supe, well, 
even your best friend will admit that it’s no 
more than a livery-stable hack.’ ” 

“ Oh, but that wasn’t all of it,” Gronna had 
interrupted. You told him to his face, Miz- 
zoo, that he was an arbitrary tyrant, and that 
he didn’t dare let the War Department or the 
country at large know that he was running an 
absolutely despotic state in this republican 


RAYMOND HAS A FALL 


263 


country. You said that he was stirring up a 
spirit of insubordination throughout the Corps, 
and that you, as first captain, couldn^t answer 
for the consequences unless he mended his 
ways. You threatened him and browbeat him. 
You rode roughshod over his feelings. Meta- 
phorically speaking, you knocked him down 
and trampled on him.” 

Raymond took the teasing in good part. 

‘‘If I’d only had mind enough to know I 
was out of mind I could have relieved my mind 
a good deal! ” he chuckled. 



CHAPTER TWENTY -THREE 


THE GOAT OF THE CLASS 

The following week a hop was held in the 
Mess Hall which even the bachelors of the class 
attended, for it was the New Year’s Hop and 
they wanted to join in the old class cry at mid- 
night: This is the year we graduate! Af- 

terward came up for serious consideration the 
ever-new question: If I enter the service in 
which branch shall it be? ” And at the end 
of the four years’ course there were few among 
the first class but contemplated a military ca- 
reer, and appreciated the advantage of a posi- 
tion starting at fourteen hundred dollars annu- 
ally and steadily increasing as promotion, slow 
though it is at times, carries one up — a posi- 
tion which yields not to changes of administra- 
tion, retiring one on good pay when old age 
comes. 

As usual those who were to graduate in the 
first five took Engineers, the next in rank, Artil- 
264 


THE GOAT OF THE CLASS 265 


lery, and the rest of the class, Cavalry or 
Infantry, as the case might be, though an 
occasional man, graduating high enough for 
Artillery, chose the Cavalry or Infantry in- 
stead. 

Of the Big Four all took Artillery, except 
Bayard, who, having first choice in Cav- 
alry, got the vacancy made by the death of 

Adonis.’’ 

“ And I,” little Leffingwell Bryce had 
laughed somewhat ruefully, I get what’s left, 
as ‘ goat ’ of the class.” 

Bayard tried to comfort him. 

It doesn’t matter so much where one stands 
in the class, Leffingwell, nor which branch of the 
service he gets. It’s the struggle that counts 
— the fact that he graduates at all.” 

You mean that a fellow should study for 
the sake of the lesson itself, and not for the 
tenths to be gained by it? ” asked little Bryce, 
who had really worked conscientiously through- 
out the four years’ course. 

Bayard smiled in his big, lovable way. 

I’m beginning to feel, Leffingwell, that it 
isn’t so much what we do in life that counts, 


266 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


as why and how we do it, and I’m sure that 
the fellow who struggles to graduate ‘ goat ’ of 
the class will make a better officer than the one 
who ranks it without half-trying. ” 

Little Bryce gulped a time or two before he 
spoke : 

That’s helped me a lot, Bayard, for I’ve 
always envied old Franklin, and wished that I 
had his ability to master the course with so little 
study, but now I’m beginning to believe with 
you that it’s better for one to have to work.” 
Then half-shyly: ‘‘ And, Bayard, I’ve never 
had a chance before to tell you how grateful 
I am that you didn’t let me cross the sentinel’s 
post on the day of the furloughmen’s return. 
I’m sure it would have meant dismissal, and I 
— I have a mother to take care of, you know, 
and I couldn’t afford to lose my commis- 
sion, especially after working so hard for 
it! ” 

Bayard nodded understandingly. 

‘‘We were all swept off our feet that day, 
Bryce. ’ ’ 

“ All but you, Bayard.” 

The cadet quartermaster smiled oddly. 


THE GOAT OF THE CLASS 267 


Wlien I started out of my tent, Leffingwell, 
I fully intended to meet the returning furlough- 
men in the time-honored way. That yell and 
rush for camp on their part was irresistible. 
Dodd had been pleading with me to obey orders, 
as became a soldier, but human nature pre- 
vailed, and it was only when I saw the rest of 
you about to do the same thing that I wakened 
to the enormity of the offence from a military 
standpoint. As the ranking man present I had 
no right to let you risk your careers, even 
though willing to sacrifice my own future for a 
mistaken sense of loyalty, and so in saving you, 
I saved myself ! ’ ^ 

Dear old Chevalier! ’’ murmured little 
Byrce softly. 

Bayard flushed at the title given him in plebe 
camp. 

I believe, Bryce,’’ he said at last, ‘‘ that the 
common-sense, Bartholomew-side of me downed 
the Chevalier-side that day on the sentinel’s 
post.” And then in answer to his friend’s 
questioning look: ‘‘ I mean that I don’t believe 
I’ll ever be so prone to do quixotic things again, 
and that in consequence I shall be a better, safer 


268 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


officer than I would have been without that 
experience.’’ 

‘‘ But, Bayard, you don’t think the Super- 
intendent was right in forbidding us to welcome 
the furloughmen horned ” 

Bayard hesitated. 

“ Perhaps he went about it in the wrong way, 
Bryce, but that wouldn’t have excused us for 
disobeying him.” 

I suppose not, but I hope we’ll never have 
to serve under such a martinet again! Now, 
why should he have forbidden Christmas boxes 
this year? And stopped us from skating on 
the river? And cut out everything that tends 
to make our life a little less monotonous and 
unbearable? ” 

But, Leffingwell, he hasn’t forbidden us to 
check off the days on our calendars yet, and 
each day checked off brings us that much nearer 
June and graduation.” 

‘‘ You’re an optimist, Bayard! ” grinned lit- 
tle Bryce, restored to good humor again. 

‘‘ And when we leave the Academy,” went 
on Bayard, we’ll probably forget that we 
ever looked upon our Alma Mater in the light 


THE GOAT OF THE CLASS 269 


of a harsh parent, and remember only that she 
nursed us safely through the military equiva- 
lent for chickenpox and mumps.’’ 

Oh, our Alma Mater’s all right,” protested 
Bryce. It’s only the cruel stepfather I’m 
complaining about! ” 



CHAPTER TWENTY -FOUR 


THE BEGINNING OF THE END 

Spring came in like a lamb that year, the 
spring of graduation, and to Jack Stirling it 
was a period of unalloyed bliss. In common 
with the rest of Ms fellows, he felt an intangible 
relaxation of discipline on the part of all the 
instructors and professors, both in the section- 
rooms and at drills, a certain cordiality in their 
manner as if the Rubicon of graduation had 
already been crossed. 

Then, too, he experienced the wonderful sen- 
sation of trying on an officer ’s blouse and dress- 
coat for the first time, both of which were 
plainly labelled on the left sleeve: “LIEU- 
TENANT Stirling. with the prodigality 
of one unaccustomed to handling money he pur- 
chased belts and a sword, a cap and a helmet, 
and, oh, most wonderful of all, the shoulder- 
straps of a second-lieutenant! He was meas- 
ured for riding-boots, a red-lined cape, and a 
270 


THE BEGINNING OF THE END 271 


befrogged blue overcoat, and when all these 
purchases were made he still felt opulent 
enough to order a nobby civilian outfit, a class 
album, and some hundred invitations to the 
graduating ball. 

Late in May, accompanied by several other 
classmates. Jack attended a Sunday morning 
inspection of the soldiers^ barracks north of 
the Hiding Hall, his preliminary taste of the 
real work to begin on October first, the day 
appointed for him to stand in full dress before 
his commanding officer and say : ‘ ‘ Sir, I report 
for duty! ” 

On June first the Board of Visitors began 
to arrive on the post, accompanied by the usual 
number of splinters,’^ as the feminine con- 
tingent of the Board is always called. Also a 
dozen graduates of the Superintendent's time 
gathered for the much-talked-of class reunion 
to be held the night after graduation, — snutfy, 
elderly men of exalted rank, who were assigned 
to unoccupied rooms in barracks. 

And, oh, wonder-working June of graduation, 
how many fathers and mothers dropped out of 
the sky, as it were, to see their boys get their 


272 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


hard-earned diplomas. And in many instances 
at what a sacrifice of material things ! 

Of course Major and Mrs. Stirling were there, 
bringing with them Jack^s old friend, Sergeant 
Donnelly. Tom Winthrop, who had resigned 
in plehe year, was also on hand; and Stirling 
of Massachusetts, who had thrown away his 
chance to belong to the class at the preliminary 
examinations. And, yes, that dapper little 
civilian with the square shoulders and military 
carriage was no other than Sampson of Tennes- 
see, poor little Sampson who had failed at the 
first January examinations, but who had suc- 
ceeded later in a business career, as was evi- 
denced by his prosperous appearance. 

When the final examinations were over there 
was a wonderful week in which the graduating 
class wore its cadet gray for the last time, a 
wonderful week with nothing to do of an eve- 
ning but entertain the friends and relatives on 
the post, attend band concerts, or dance at the 
hops. 

There were innumerable drills throughout 
the day, of course, for the benefit of the Board 
of Visitors ; and never was there a more appre- 


THE BEGINNING OF THE END 273 


ciative Board than the one at West Point that 
June, headed, as it was, by old General Gage of 
the Superintendent’s class, long since resigned 
from the service, and now a prominent United 
States Senator. 

As for Sergeant Donnelly, he was so de- 
lighted with everything that he called on the 
world at large to share in his wild enthusiasm. 
In fact at the last imposing skirmish drill he 
had all he could do not to join the onrushing 
wave of gray and white, firing blank cartridges 
at an imaginary foe ; and when he saw the first 
class in its inspiring wild charge across the 
cavalry plain, cutting right and left with their 
sabres, a certain yellow-haired boy well to the 
front, the sergeant lost all semblance of dig- 
nity, and yelled and hooted like a veritable 
Comanche. 

The night of the graduation ball, Jack’s little 
mother received with the Commandant’s wife 
and renewed many old friendships in the Corps. 
When Tim Croghan came up to pay his re- 
spects, Mrs. Stirling had all she could do to 
conceal her surprise at the boy’s improved ap- 
pearance. 


274 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


‘‘ Is this really little Tim Croghan? ’’ she 
had said, her tender voice brooding on the name, 
and Tim had blushed and braced, remembering 
the Captain’s Lady ” of long ago, for whom 
his mother had done washing. But the Cap- 
tain’s Lady seemed to remember nothing ex- 
cept that Tim and Jack were old friends, and 
in her pretty way she called to mind some of 
their childish games on the reservation back 
of the garrison, and asked Tim if he still had 
the medal for bravery which Jack’s father had 
cut out of the top of a chocolate tin. 

Croghan gulped a bit at that, and then, blush- 
ing still more, he admitted that the tin medal 
and a pair of shoulder-straps made at the same 
time by his mother still hung in his room at 
home, and that he dated his first ambition to 
be something more than top-sergeant of the 
troop from the morning on which Jack’s father 
had presented the medal and read aloud the 
order making him a second lieutenant in the 
boys’ regiment. 

Mrs. Stirling’s eyes welled over at that, but 
all she said was : 

‘‘ How proud your mother must be of you, 


f 


THE BEGINNING OF THE END 275 


Tim! ’’ And after a few moments’ desultory 
talk, Tim was otf to claim a dance with pretty 
Belle McDonald, his straight shoulders thrown 
back to the breaking point, his head held high. 

Eaymond stood in line with the Command- 
ant’s wife and Mrs. Stirling, making the neces- 
sary introductions with an easy grace that 
rivalled that of the great Faulkner three years 
before — the cadet captain on whom Raymond 
had unconsciously modelled himself. And later, 
remembering Faulkner’s example, Raymond 
looked up the new yearlings who that night 

shed their plehe-skins,” and saw that they 
had a good time, the yearlings, meanwhile, 
finding their old respect for the first captain 
warming to a fervor that bordered on adoration. 
For weeks they treasured up his every tone, 
and word, and gesture, even copying the way 
he wore his hair, while fat little Daskam from 
California strove all summer to squeeze into a 
dress-coat several sizes too small for him in 
a vain effort to make his square, ungainly figure 
even distantly resemble that of his hero. 

Meanwhile the first class, individually and 
collectively, revelled in their last ball as cadets. 


276 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Even Jack and Bayard and Marr were there, 
having acted as escorts to Marie Harding, who 
was visiting again at the Commandant ^s. This 
was a most nnusual proceeding, bnt as the Su- 
perintendent had issued no orders against three 
cadets escorting one girl to a ball, and as the 
four young people seemed highly pleased with 
the arrangement, it was nobody else’s affair. 

Marie, quite as tall as the three tall cadet 
officers, carried her slim height with a grace 
that told of athletic training. In perfect step 
the four swung down to the old Mess Hall. On 
the threshold Marie hesitated. 

‘‘ If it were only permissible I’d rather con- 
tinue our walk! ” she laughed, and the three 
boys liked her the better for entering so com- 
pletely into their own feelings on the sub- 
ject. 

But once within the Hall they had reason to 
be very proud of the girl they had brought with 
them, for Marie held quite a little court before 
the dancing began, cadets, officers, and civilians 
all vying with each other to pay her homage. 
To be sure neither Jack, nor Bayard, nor Marr 
dreamed what a beauty their friend had grown 


THE BEGINNING OF THE END 277 


to be. They saw only a tall, slim girl, with level 
gray eyes, and a good profile. 

She might have posed for the head on the 
American dollar,^’ some one remarked to Jack 
that night. She’s by far the handsomest girl 
in the room.” 

“ She’s the nicest girl here, I’m sure,” Jack 
had returned warmly, so square and above- 
board. She’d have made a fine cadet,” and 
then he wondered why the older man laughed. 

Later in the evening Jack ran across Ser- 
geant Donnelly looking in at one of the Mess 
Hall windows. 

It’s a grand sight, Mr. Jack, this here grad- 
uation ball of yours, and I never saw a hand- 
somer lot of people together, but take it from 
old Donnelly, sir, there ain’t a girl in the place, 
not even barrin’ Miss M’rie, that can hold a 
candle to your little mother ! ’ ’ 

Jack turned adoring eyes to where Mrs. Stir- 
ling stood, laughing and talking, with a group 
of his classmates. In evening dress she looked 
absurdly young and slender. 

‘‘ It’s to that little woman you’re owin’ 
everything, Mr. Jack,” Donnelly went on softly. 


278 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


your chevrons to-night and your shoulder- 
straps to-morrow. Oh, your father helped, of 
course, but it^s your mother thaUs really re- 
sponsible, and she’s bringin’ up her other son, 
my namesake, in the same splendid way. Looks 
like, Mr. Jack, while it’s great to bear arms as 
a soldier, it’s greater still to bear the soldiers 
that bear the arms.” 

The sergeant savored his last words mentally 
with an inward satisfaction, not altogether lost 
on Jack. Then he continued musingly: 

There are some mothers who think instinct 
will help ’em to bring up their children right. 
Now, to my notion, Mr. Jack, instinct might be 
of assistance to a hen with a litter of chickens, 
but it’s too oncertain a quantity for boys! 
It’s insight, not instinct, that a human mother 
needs. 

“ Take your own ma, for example. I remem- 
ber, like it was yesterday, how she’d always 
think out some new game or get up some inter- 
estin’ scheme or other when she found that you 
and young Gregory was doin’ things you hadn’t 
ought to do. She was too smart to keep sayin’ 
‘ Don’t! ’ to boys. ’Stead of that she got ’em 


THE BEGINNING OF THE END 279 


so crazy over things worth while that they 
hadn’t time nor inclination for the things which 
weren’t worth while. 

‘‘ Then again, she and your pa never criti- 
cized folks before you, and you grew up thinkin’ 
that every one you met was just as good as the 
Lord intended ’em to be, and there ain’t nothin’ 
in the world that’ll help the down and out so 
much as for some one to mistake ’em for the 
up and cornin’. Looks like to me sometimes 
that to recognize the good in others is a kind 
of double-jointed, back-action proposition, for 
it not only helps folks to be good when others 
think well of ’em, but it makes the one who’s 
doing the thinkin’ that much stronger and bet- 
ter hisself.” 

In the ball-room the musicians were playmg 
a Strauss waltz, one of those heart-breaking 
things with a minor chord that reminds one of 
opportunities wasted and occasions unim- 
proved. Close beside him in the fragrant dusk, 
J ack heard a stifled groan. He turned quickly 
to see Tom Winthrop frowning through the win- 
dow at the dancers — Tom Winthrop, his first 
room-mate at the Academy, who had resigned 


280 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


in plebe year, and was now studying medicine, 
hoping to enter the army as a surgeon. 

I’ve been looking for you everywhere. 
Jack,” Winthrop began abruptly. I can’t 
stand it another moment. I’m going away on 
the midnight train. I hadn’t known it would 
be so hard. Oh, Jack, Jack, my class graduates 
to-morrow without me — my class, Jack!” 
The square-chinned young face quivered. 

Before Stirling could answer. Sergeant Don-, 
nelly leaned forward with a respectful : 

Beggin’ your pardon, Mr. Winthrop, but 
we can’t always know what’s best for us, sir, 
in this life. Last summer when you was at 
Leavenworth, the hospital-sergeant — he’s a 
particular friend of mine, sir — the hospital- 
sergeant, he says to me, ^ Donnelly,’ he says, 
‘ that young Winthrop has a surgeon’s hands. 
You can’t make ’em, Donnelly, hands like that, 
supple and pliant with strong, sensitive, blunt- 
tipped fingers. They’re born not made. And 
it would have been a pity to waste such hands 
on a ordinary officer.’ That’s what the hospi- 
tal-sergeant said to me, sir.” 

Winthrop had turned his tortured eyes on 


THE BEGINNING OF THE END 281 


tile sergeant’s face. As the deep voice talked 
quietly on the young man’s strained expression 
relaxed, his brow unwrinkled. 

The sergeant smiled. 

The good Lord evidently intended you for 
a surgeon as well as a officer, Mr. Tom, and 
I’m after thinkin’ you’re one of the kind that 
won’t mind bein’ called ‘ doctor ’ ’stead of 
‘ major ’ or ‘ colonel ’ when you wear the straps 
with the gold or silver leaves. You’re goin’ 
to live up to them hands of yours, sir, in the 
days to come, and many a sick and wounded 
soldier will bless the hour that you entered the 
army by the pills-and-poultice door.” 



CHAPTER TWENTY -FIVE 


OLD CADETS 

Although the graduation ball lasted until 
midnight, old General Gage on his return to 
barracks borrowed somebody’s bull’s-eye lan- 
tern, and, waiting till be thought bis classmates 
were all asleep, be went from room to room, 
flashing the light in their startled faces, which 
occasioned some good-natured snickering and 
whispering in that division. 

Little Riggs, lying awake from sheer excite- 
ment, and with many plans for graduation- 
leave fermenting in his busy brain, heard the 
subdued laughter, and straightway forgot his 
own thoughts in amused wonder at the pranks 
of those old boys. It didn’t seem possible that 
the grim Superintendent was a contemporary 
of those jolly files, who every night had giggled 
and whispered in their rooms across the hall, 
quite as if they feared a calling-down from the 
282 


OLD CADETS 


283 


division inspector, while that very evening at 
supper they had made such a racket at their 
table in the Mess Hall that it almost seemed 
as if the officer in charge would have to speak 
to them. 

Colonel Talbot, a well-known member of the 
Engineer Corps, was especially obstreperous, 
and acted more like a returned furloughman 
than a graduate of forty years’ standing, and 
it was so funny to hear the other old fellows 
address him as Warty,” and rag ” him on 
the amount of sammy ” he ate with his 
bread. 

They seemed fond of the Superintendent, too, 
and Riggs had overheard the old general ask 
if he couldn’t get away from it all, and rest 
his face a bit,” at which the Superintendent 
had actually smiled. 

Falling asleep on the memory of that phe- 
nomenon, Riggs dreamed that he and the Super- 
intendent were off on a lark together, and that 
the Supe ” had finally suggested robbing his 
own orchard, to which Riggs acquiesced, re- 
membering in his dream that, of course, the 
bulldog would not attack them, seeing that his 


284 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

master was one of the party, and then — and 
then — 

First call for reveille echoed through bar- 
racks, and Eiggs turned over disgustedly. If 
only he could remember that joke the Superin- 
tendent had just perpetrated ! Why, he was a 
right good fellow, after all, the Supe ! ’’ And 
he had called Eiggs, B. J., and asked him to 
spend part of his graduation leave at West 
Point in — in what ? — 

Not in arrest! Surely the Superintendent 
didn’t mean that, and Eiggs, now very wide 
awake, sat up in bed, conscious that his morn- 
ing snooze had been interrupted by a vigorous 
voice across the hall. It was a voice calculated 
to startle and alarm. So might roar “ Hyrca- 
nean tigers or slaying lions. ’ ’ 

Here, you bald-headed, doddering old skin- 
flint. No fair playing off on me that way ! You 
know you’re room-orderly and that you’ve got 
to get the water.” 

It was General Gage speaking, and Eiggs, 
now thoroughly awake, chuckled as he heard 
the fat colonel clattering down the stairs with 
a water bucket. Exchanging a wink with 


OLD CADETS 


285 


Gronna, Riggs jumped into a pair of old ‘‘ re- 
veilles standing by the bed, and a moment 
later, quite by accident, of course, he met Colo- 
nel Talbot at the pump. 

Good morning, my young friend,’^ cried 
the colonel cheerily. 

Riggs returned the greeting in kind, and after 
a moment ^s hesitation he ventured very respect- 
fully: 

I say. Colonel, can’t I carry that bucket up- 
stairs for you? ” 

The colonel drew himself together stiffly and 
tried to look as dignified as pink pajamas and 
a very merry twinkle permitted. 

Sir,” he began impressively, “ sir, it is 
one of the unwritten laws of this institution that 
there shall be no bootlicking here of older class- 
men. ’ ’ 

Riggs grinned, and a moment later heard the 
old fellow bumping painfully up the stairs, the 
water splashing around him at every step. 
Later still, from the seclusion of their room, 
Riggs and Gronna overheard the general going 
from door to door, waking the still sleeping 
members of the forty-year-old class: 


286 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


‘‘ Out you come, Hungry Joe, out you come, 
I say. If you snooze a moment more you ^11 
get a ' late ' for roll call! And after a lively 
skirmish Hungry Joe, better known as Colonel 
Vandeveer of the Ordnance, was yanked out 
into the middle of the floor, protesting sleepily 
the while. 

Then the indefatigable general routed out 
Bloody Bill, Pink Eyes, Beauty Rogers, Wops 
Warner, and the Singed Cat, though Squidge 
Weeks and Tombstone Robinson refused ut- 
terly to be disturbed, old Tombstone sending 
a boot after the generaPs retreating figure 
before turning over to resume his interrupted 
nap, nor would he even respond to the general ’s 
shouted: Candidates turn out promptly! ” 

which brought the other old fellows, grinning, 
to their respective doors. 

Riggs ’ heart warmed mightily to the general, 
and a little later when the Corps tumbled down 
the iron stairs of barracks and fell into ranks 
for roll call, the boy almost forgot to answer 
to his name, so interested was he in a formation 
on the gallery, a most unusual formation with 
elderly men in every kind of undress, from 


OLD CADETS 


287 


Major Warner in shirt sleeves and suspenders 
to the now thoroughly awakened Tombstone 
Robinson, the great Ordnance expert, in paja- 
mas and eyeglasses, his bare feet thrust into 
red velvet slippers. Squidge Weeks, innocent 
of his toupet and four front teeth, marked time 
in the rear rank, and Hungry Joe Vandeveer 
tried in vain to keep his Japanese kimono 
drawn around his portly form. 

Out of the tail of his starboard eye Riggs 
watched them, as did every other cadet within 
range, and if there was no laughing in ranks 
reported that morning it was because the cadet 
officers in charge were too much convulsed 
themselves to notice it. 

As might have been expected the old general 
was acting first sergeant, a regular bantam cock 
of a first sergeant, who rushed around and 
‘‘ braced the plebes in the rear rank; and 
how the gray-haired or entirely bald plebes did 
throw back their shoulders and “ fin out,’’ and 
how loudly they answered the roll call, and with 
what different enunciations. Even Beauty 
Rogers, fat and pompous, with impressive eye- 
glasses and a very obvious brown wig, sky- 


288 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

larked like a boy, and jolly old Colonel Talbot 
made such a racket that the acting first ser- 
geant had to send him to his quarters in ar- 
rest. 



CHAPTER TWENTY -SIX 


GEADUATIOIT 

At ten o’clock that morning the Corps 
marched over to the improvised pavilion in 
front of the Library, where the graduating cere- 
monies were to take place. Old General Gage, 
flanked by the Academic Board, was in the seat 
of honor, as the Secretary of War, who was 
to have delivered the diplomas, found it impos- 
sible at the last moment to keep his engagement. 

After the band played a patriotic selection 
or two, and the Chaplain offered np a prayer 
for the future of the graduating class, the old 
general, somewhat red and self-conscious, got 
to his feet, and began what promised to he the 
usual platitudinous address. 

The Superintendent, on his left, wearied by 
the events of the last few days, settled back in 
his chair waiting for the speech to drag its 
slow length along, hut suddenly he awoke to 
289 


290 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


the fact that the general had departed from the 
safe and beaten track of oratory and was off 
on untrodden ground that might lead him any- 
where. 

‘‘ Theoretically,’’ that adventurous gentle- 
man was saying, ‘ ‘ it should be the aim of every 
cadet who enters the Academy to graduate in 
the first five, but actually,” here the general’s 
eyes swept the Corps with an amicable twinkle, 
‘ ‘ actually I consider it a great honor to gradu- 
ate at all. I consider it a real achievement to 
get through West Point as a ‘ goat,’ and I feel 
a most profound respect for the man who not 
only meets the requirements of the Academic 
Board, hut who manages to hoodwink — ” here 
the general stopped short with an air of great 
embarrassment — ‘ ‘ I should say manages to 
come up to the high standard set for him by the 
Tactical Department.” 

The Superintendent stirred uneasily at the 
ripple of laughter which swept over the audi- 
ence. This was not the kind of speech he had 
expected from the general. It was too frivolous 
in tone for the occasion, and he wished vaguely 
that he had not insisted upon his classmate 


GRADUATION 


291 


speaking without preparation of some kind, or 
notes which could have been submitted to the 
authorities for approval. 

As I was saying,’’ the general went on, 
when he could make himself heard, it is an 
achievement to get through West Point at all. 
It takes generalship to do it. It takes strategy. 
It takes strength. From the time you enter as 
a plehe to the day of graduation you are en- 
gaged in a warfare to keep your cadetship. 
Nobody cares whether you win out, or not, — 
nobody, that is, who counts, — and there ’s al- 
ways an alternate waiting to step into your 
place in ranks and shoulder your rifle. 

The policy of West Point is the survival 
of the fittest. If a man gets started down in 
his studies or in discipline it almost seems as 
if the instructors and tactical officers try their 
best to ^ find ’ him, while the rising man receives 
no help nor encouragement, all of which makes 
one admire the fellow who not only has grit 
enough to stand the hardships of the Point, hut 
who, in addition, can compel the instructors, 
the Tactical Department, yes, and the upper 
classmen, as well, to acknowledge that he can 


292 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


and will stay at the Academy till he leaves it 
as a second-lieutenant. 

I have in mind a cadet of my own time, a 
fine, upstanding young fellow, who literally 
fought his way to a diploma, just as he after- 
wards fought himself into the command of a 
brigade during the Civil War. He was all en- 
ergy and fire, and when through with his studies 
and drills, was ever ready for any mad prank, 
and not averse to a battle of wits with the Tac- 
tical Department; for you will all agree that 
until a man graduates he’s apt to look on those 
in authority as enemies to be outmanoeuvred, 
and he often learns more of strategy in evading 
this enemy than in weeks of study on that sub- 
ject during first class year.” 

The Superintendent frowned heavily, and 
compressed his thin lips into an even thinner 
line. He did not approve of such sentiments. 
They were prejudicial to discipline. They made 
light of insubordination. They were highly 
suggestive. He knew that in another moment 
the general would tell one of the numberless 
stories about the class scapegrace, Anthony 
Foote — Mad Anthony, they called him, in the 


GRADUATION 


293 


days before be distinguished himself as a gal- 
lant commander of a gallant brigade — and he 
stirred in his chair with the vague intention of 
stopping the general, but instead settled back, 
chafing at his own helplessness. 

In those old days,’’ continued the general, 

there was an officer in the Tactical Depart- 
ment that we cadets used to sit up nights to 
outflank. He was the meanest ‘ tac ’ you ever 
heard of, the kind who wore rubber overshoes 
when inspecting, and actually looked into 
clothes-bags and up chimneys for ‘ boodle.’ Of 
course he was a star-reporter, and whenever an 
obnoxious order was published we all felt that 
Gum-Shoe Bill, as we called him, was at the 
bottom of it. 

‘‘ Our last year at the Academy the Hudson 
froze over so hard that heavy teams drove back 
and forth on it, yet an order was issued pro- 
hibiting cadets from skating on the river. As 
you will understand, perhaps, no sooner was 
the order published than men who had never 
cared for skating when it was not forbidden, 
became thrilled with the notion that they must 
have a try at the ice, just in the same way that 


294 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


many of you young gentlemen smoke up the 
chimney now, while if there wasnT a regulation 
against smoking, you’d never think of it.” 

An irrepressible titter ran through the gray- 
and-white clad section of the audience, and the 
Superintendent winced under it as if he had 
been struck. He was so angry that he could 
hardly contain himself, flushing and paling by 
turns, till the old scar on his cheek became very 
prominent. 

Well,” rumbled the general jovially, the 
first Saturday after the order was published 
half the Corps managed to get skates, and, as 
you may well believe, every one with skates and 
not otherwise engaged on the area, was down 
at the river. About an hour later, when the 
fun was at its height, two tactical officers bore 
down upon us — ” here the old general stopped 
and winked laboriously — I didn’t mean to 
say ‘ us,’ young gentlemen. It was a mere slip 
of the tongue, for, of course, if I had been guilty 
of such a breach of discipline in my cadet days, 
I could never have reached the exalted rank of 
brigadier-general. But, as I was about to say, 
two tactical officers bore down upon those recal- 


GRADUATION 


295 


citrant cadets, and a moment later they were 
all lined up on the ice while the officers took 
their names.’’ 

The general paused for a long rhetorical mo- 
ment, to continue with renewed fervor: 

“ All, did I say? Then for the sake of accu- 
racy I must correct myself. There was one 
cadet who escaped! ” 

The Superintendent sat suddenly upright, 
reddened, bit his lip, frowned meaningly in the 
general’s direction, and gripped the arms 
of his chair until it almost seemed as if his 
knuckles would force their way through the 
shrivelled skin. 

But the general, quite unconscious, smiled 
irresistibly as he went on: 

‘‘Yes, one cadet, not hearing any order to 
halt, as he afterwards told us, and very prop- 
erly not wishing to hear one, threw his over- 
coat cape around his head and quick as a flash 
skated away, the tactical officer, who was none 
other than Gum-Shoe Bill, at his heels. Oh, it 
was a pretty race, for the cadet excelled in 
skating as in every other sport, and the tactical 
officer was a worthy foeman determined not 


296 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


to let our young friend give him the slip, for 
of course the cadet had rendered himself un- 
recognizable by reason of the cape thrown over 
his head and held in place, with just a peep-hole 
left to see where he was skating. 

Back and forth they darted. Now it would 
seem the cadet was far in the lead, now that the 
tactical officer had caught him. We scarcely 
dared breathe, hut finally Gum-Shoe Bill came 
a cropper on some rough ice, and the cadet, 
quick to seize his advantage, fairly flew to the 
river’s bank, where he unfastened his skates 
and disappeared from sight before the tactical 
officer had so much as regained his breath.” 

Discreet laughter greeted this very indiscreet 
tale of outwitted authority, and the general 
beamed down into the unsmiling face of the 
Superintendent on his left. Well-pleased with 
himself was the general, and so near-sighted 
that he could not see the Superintendent was 
annoyed. So, still smiling, he continued: 

‘‘ As you young gentlemen who have studied 
strategy will understand, the same quick wit 
which enabled our cadet to elude the Tactical 
Department twice on that winter day so long 


GRADUATION 


297 


ago, again served him in the Civil War, and at 
last placed him in command of a brigade where, 
at the age of thirty-five, he distinguished him- 
self still more, and to-day — ’’ here the general 
paused impressively — to-day, I need hardly 
tell you, that the instigator of all our boyish 
pranks, the leader in every piece Of clean devil- 
ment that went on at the Point during his time, 
the most audacious young scamp that ever ran 
it to ^ Benny Havens ’ or the ^ Boodlers,’ the 
man who rode, and fenced, and drilled, and 
danced better than all the rest of the class, is 
no other than your dignified Superintendent, 
then the idol of the Corps, presumably the ter- 
ror of it now, and not grown so old but that his 
comrades can still find in him the Daredevil 
Dick of their boyhood days.’’ 

It was Warty Talbot who started the ap- 
plause, and after a moment of awed silence even 
the Corps began to share the wild enthusiasm 
of those elderly boys. Pink Eyes and Bloody 
Bill were especially obstreperous, and old 
Squidge Weeks all but swallowed his four front 
teeth in the ensuing excitement. 

But the Superintendent sat unmoved through 


298 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

it all, his grim face a little whiter than usual, 
his jaw more firmly set. He was furious that 
he could not stop that insensate hand-clapping, 
and the cheers and laughter that greeted the 
old generaUs last words. He had never been 
so humiliated in his life — never ! He felt out- 
raged, debased, stripped of his dignity. 

But even as he raged inwardly a memory of 
that day came hack to him, and with it some 
of the old-time thrill. After a hit he remem- 
bered also how much of a hero he had been 
among his classmates and in the Corps. It was 
then he had been christened Daredevil Dick. 
He hadn’t thought of the name in years. He 
remembered other things, too, ‘‘ his hopes and 
dreams, his passion’s early fire,” and as he 
remembered those old days the faces before 
him grew dim; but at last he shook off the 
lethargy enough to rise to his feet and announce 
that General Gage, in the absence of the Sec- 
retary of War, would deliver the diplomas to 
the graduating class in the order of their final 
standing. 

First came Franklin, a bright fellow, Frank- 
lin, much like Warty Talbot of his own class. 


GRADUATION 


299 


And next to him were Bradley, Bruce, and 
Thorndyke, the Corps clapping as eac^ man^s 
name was called and he returned to his seat 
with the treasured diploma in his hands. It 
was so like his own day. The Superintendent 
had never felt so near the Corps in all his serv- 
ice with it. These men might he his own class- 
mates of long ago, for they were the same alert, 
clear-eyed, broad-shouldered young fellows with 
the same hopes and aims that he had known, 
and, yes, animated by the same mischievous 
spirit of fun and daring. 

How furiously the Corps was clapping now. 
It was for John Raymond of Missouri. And 
such a different John Raymond from the hoy 
who had answered to that name four years 
ago. 

Next to him came young Stirling, the adju- 
tant, every inch a soldier, his handsome head 
held high, his eyes straight to the front as if 
he were on parade. The general reached down 
and shook hands with the boy, hut instead of 
giving him the diploma he passed it to some 
one sitting in the rear row of the platform, a 
tall man in the uniform of a major of Cavalry, 


300 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


who came forward at once and stood beside 
the general. 

It was Jack’s father, and how much alike they 
were, standing there together, the diploma be- 
tween them, each looking into the other’s eyes 
with a joy too deep for words. As Jack walked 
back to his seat the shout that went up from 
the Corps quite drowned the general’s voice 
trying to read aloud the next name. 

Stirling — Stirling — Stirling — ” came 
the cry. Hurrah for Stirling! Big Jack 
Stirling! J-a-c-k, Jack! ” 

At last the general made himself heard, and 
the next few men received their diplomas more 
quietly, except in the case of McCallum, a great 
lady’s man, who was greeted with atfected 
‘‘ Ah’s! ” and Oh’s! ” 

In spite of himself the Superintendent smiled. 
It was so exactly the way the Corps had looked 
on such things in his own day. And then he 
frowned that he had smiled, trying to remem- 
ber that as Superintendent of West Point he 
must not countenance anything of the kind. 
But the old general’s words had sown a seed 
in the Superintendent’s heart which, like the 


GRADUATION 


301 


plants of the Oriental necromancers, sprang 
into full growth from the v,ery start, and al- 
ready he seemed to see the battalion with 
younger, kindlier eyes, more as a- Daredevil 
Dick, grown older, should have seen it. 

Then, too, there was something in those up- 
turned faces never there before, a comradeship 
that had always been wanting in their previ- 
ous intercourse, and, it would almost seem, an 
added, instead of a lessened respect. The Su- 
perintendent, keenly alive to impressions, as 
are most self-centred people, felt the difference, 
and according to men who served with him dur- 
ing his last years at the Academy, he was never 
so severe again, or rather his severity was tem- 
pered by a better understanding of the Corps, 
which increased his usefulness a thousandfold. 

Meanwhile in barracks Jack Stirling changed 
from his cadet uniform to the nobby new civil- 
ian outfit bought that spring. Raymond, Marr,, 
and Bayard were already in the area, hut Jack 
had delayed a few moments after ranks broke 
to say good-by to the Commandant’s family, 
and now he was rushing like mad to get down 
in time for a word with Tim Croghan, who was 


302 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 

to succeed him as adjutant. With Donnelly’s 
assistance he locked and strapped the big trunk 
in the middle of the floor, and had just said 
good-by to his old friend, when from the noisy 
area came a concerted shout of ‘‘ Stirling — 
Stirling — Stirling! Where’s Jack Stirling? ” 
Then swift feet leaped up the stairs, and 
in another moment the young ruffians, including 
Tim Croghan, were upon him. Yelling and 
howling like so many wild Indians they caught 
Jack up on their shoulders and carried him 
down the iron stairs of barracks. When they 
appeared in the area with their struggling bur- 
den, such a shout of recognition went up that 
Donnelly, watching it all from a window above, 
felt the quick tears start to his eyes as he whis- 
pered : 

God bless you, Mr. Jack, — or rather. Lieu- 
tenant, sir! ” and involuntarily the old soldier 
saluted, as he remembered that his boy was now 
an officer in the regular army, that he had gone 
FROM CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER- 
STRAPS. 


THE END. 


APPENDIX 


INFORMATION RELATIVE TO THE APPOINTMENT 
AND ADMISSION OF CADETS TO THE UNITED 
STATES MILITARY ACADEMY 


From the Official Register of the U. S. Military Academy 

I 

APPOINTMENTS 

How Made. — Each congressional district and Territory — 
the District of Columbia and also Porto Rico — is entitled to 
have 1 cadet at the academy. Each State is also entitled to 
have 2 cadets from the State at large, and 40 are allowed from 
the United States at large. The law, however, provides that 
for six years from July 1, 1910, whenever any cadet shall have 
finished three years of his course at the academy his successor 
may be admitted. The appointment from a congressional dis- 
trict is made upon the recommendation of the Representative 
in Congress from that district, and those from a State at large 
upon the recommendations of the Senators of the State. Sim- 
ilarly the appointment from a Territory is made upon the rec- 
ommendation of the Delegate in Congress. The appointment 
from the District of Columbia is made on the recommendation 
of the Commissioners of the District. Each person appointed 
must be an actual resident of the State, district, or Territory 
from which the appointment is made. 

The appointments from the United States at large are made 
by the President of the United States upon his own selection. 
The cadet from Porto Rico, who must be a native of that island, 
is appointed by the President on the recommendation of the 
Resident Commissioner. 


303 


304 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


The Secretary of War is authorized to permit not exceeding 
four Filipinos to be designated, one for each class, by the Philip- 
pine Commission, to receive instruction at the United States 
Military Academy at West Point: Provided, That the Filipinos 
undergoing instruction shall receive the same pay, allowances, 
and emoluments as are authorized by law for cadets at the Mil- 
itary Academy appointed from the United States, to be paid 
out of the same appropriations : And 'provided further, That said 
Filipinos undergoing instruction on graduation shall be eligible 
only to commissions in the Philippine Scouts. And the pro- 
visions of section 1321, Revised Statutes, are modified in the 
case of the Filipinos undergoing instruction, so as to require 
them to engage to serve for eight years, unless sooner discharged, 
in the Philippine Scouts. 

Date of Appointments. — Appointments are required by law 
to be made one year in advance of the date of admission, except 
in cases where, by reason of death or other cause, a vacancy 
occurs which can not be provided for by such appointment in 
advance. These vacancies are filled in time for the next exam- 
ination. 

Candidates. — For each vacancy three candidates should be 
nominated, one of the candidates to be named as principal and 
the others as alternates. The alternate making the highest pro- 
ficient average will be entitled to admission in case of the failure 
of the principal. 

Each candidate will receive from the War Department a letter 
of appointment containing instructions as to time and place of 
examination. 

Fitness for admission will be determined as prescribed in the 
Regulations, United States Military Academy. 


II 

EXAMINATION AND ADMISSION OF CANDIDATES 

The following are extracts from the Regulations of the Mil- 
itary Academy relating to the examination of candidates for 
admission, and will be strictly adhered to: 

On the last Tuesday in April of each year candidates selected 
for appointment (except the Filipino candidates) shall appear 
for mental and physical examination before boards of army 
officers to be convened at such places as the War Department 
may designate. The Filipino candidates selected for appoint- 
ment, unless otherwise notified by the War Department, shall 


APPENDIX 


305 


appear for mental and physical examination on the second Tues- 
day in January of each year before a board of army officers to 
be convened at such place in the Philippine Islands as the com- 
manding general of the Philippines Division may designate. 
Candidates who pass will be admitted to the academy without 
further examination upon reporting in person to the superin- 
tendent before 12 o’clock noon, on the 14th day of June follow- 
ing the examination, or 15th if the 14th falls on Sunday. 

Each candidate before admission to the academy must show 
by examination as prescribed in the preceding paragraph that 
he is well versed in algebra, to include quadratic equations and 
progressions, plane geometry, English grammar, composition 
and literature, descriptive and physical geography, and general 
and United States history, as explained in the circulars of notifi- 
cation. No rejected candidate shall be reexamined, except upon 
recommendation of the academic board. 

Immediately after reporting to the superintendent for ad- 
mission, and before receiving his warrant of appointment, the 
candidate is required to sign an engagement for service in the 
following form, and in the presence of the superintendent, or of 
some officer deputed by him: 


I, , of the State (or Territory) of , aged years 

months, do hereby engage (with the consent of my parent or guardian) 

that, from the date of my admission as a cadet of the United States Military 
Academy, I will serve in the Army of the United States for eight years, unless 
sooner discharged by competent authority, 


In the presence of 


The candidate is then required to take and subscribe an oath 
or affirmation in the following form: 


I, , do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution 

of the United States, and bear true allegiance to the National Government; 
that I will maintain and defend the sovereignty of the United States, para- 
mount to any and all allegiance, sovereignty, or fealty I may owe to any State 
or country whatsoever; and that I will at all times obey the legal orders of my 
superior officers, and the rules and articles governing the armies of the United 
States. 

Sworn and subscribed, at , this day of , mneteen hun- 
dred and , before me. 


Qualifications. — No candidate shall be admitted who is un- 
der 17 or over 22 years of age, or less than 5 feet 4 inches in 
height at the age of 17; or 5 feet 5 inches in height at the age of 
18 and upward, or who is deformed, or afflicted with any disease 
or infirmity which would render him unfit for the military serv- 
ice, or who has, at the time of presenting himself, any disorder 


306 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


of an infectious or immoral character. Candidates must be 
unmarried. 

Each candidate must on reporting at West Point present a 
certificate showing successful vaccination within one year; or 
a certificate of two vaccinations, made at least a month apart, 
within three months. 

Note. — Candidates are eligible for admission from the day they are 17 
until the day they become 22 years of age, on which latter day they are not 
eligible. 

It is suggested to all candidates for admission to the Military Academy 
that, before leaving their places of residence for the place of examination, 
they should cause themselves to be thoroughly examined by a competent 
physician, and by a teacher or instructor in good standing. By such exami- 
nations any serious physical disqualification or deficiency in mental prepara- 
tion would be revealed. 

It should be understood that the informal examinination herein recom- 
mended is solely for the convenience and benefit of the candidate himself, and 
can in no manner affect the decision of the academic and medical exa mining 
boards. 


Ill 

CHARACTER OF EXAMINATIONS 

A 

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION 

Upon the completion of the mental examination all candidates 
will be thoroughly examined physically by the medical ofiicers 
of the board, under the following instructions prepared by the 
Surgeon General of the Army: 

Hearing must be normal in both ears. 

Vision, as determined by the official test types, must not fall 
below 20/40 in either eye, and not below 20/ 20 unless the defect 
is a simple refractive error not hyperopia, is not due to ocular 
disease, and is entirely corrected by proper glasses. 

In the record of all examinations the acuity of vision without 
glasses, and also with glasses when the acuity is less than 20 / 20, 
will be given for each eye separately; in the latter case the cor- 
rection will also be noted. 

Hyperopia, requiring any spherical correction, anisometropia, 
squint, or muscular insufficiency, if marked, are causes for re- 
jection. 

Color blindness, red, green, or violet, is cause for rejection. 

The following are causes of disqualification if found to exist 
to such a degree as would immediately or at no very distant 
period impair the efficiency of the candidate: 


APPENDIX 


307 


1. Feeble constitution; unsound 
health from whatever cause; 
indications of former disease; 
glandular swellings or other 
symptoms of scrofula. 

2. Chronic cutaneous affections, es- 
pecially of the scalp. 

3 . Severe in j uries offthe bones of the 
head; convulsions. 

4. Impaired vision, from whatever 
cause; inflammatory affections 
of the eyelids; immobility or 
irregularity of the iris; fistula 
lachrymalis, etc. 

5. Deafness; copious discharge 
from the ears. 

6. Loss of many teeth, or the teeth 
generally unsound. 

7. Impediment of speech. 

8. Want of due capacity of the 
chest, and any other indication 
of a liability to a pulmonic 
disease. 


9. Impaired or inadequate eflficiency 
of one or both of the superior 
extremities on account of frac- 
tures, especially of the clavicle, 
contraction of a joint, deform- 
ity, etc. 

10. An unusual excurvature or in- 
curvature of the spine. 

11. Hernia. 

12. A varicose state of the veins of 
the scrotum or spermatic cord 
(when large), hydrocele, hemor- 
rhoids, fistulas. 

13. Impaired or inadequate effi- 
ciency of one or both of the in- 
ferior extremities on account of 
varicose veins, fractures, mal- 
formation (flat feet, etc.), lame- 
ness, contraction, unequal length, 
bunions, overl 3 dng or super- 
numerary toes, etc. 

14. Ulcers, or unsound cicatrices of 
ulcers likely to break out afresh. 


The requirements of the following tables of physical propor- 
tions are minimum for growing youths and are for the guidance 
of medical officers in connection with the other data of the exam- 
ination, a consideration of all of which should determine the can- 
didate’s physical eligibility. Mere fulfillment of the requirements 
of the standard tables does not determine eligibility, while on the 
other hand no departure below the standard should be allowed 
unless upon the unanimous recommendation of the medical exam- 
ining board for excellent reasons clearly stated in each case. 

The physical requirements should be those of the age at the 
birthday nearest the time of the examination. Fractions greater 
than one-half inch will be considered as an additional inch of 
height, but candidates 17 years old must be at least 64 inches 
and those 18 years and upward at least 65 inches in height. 


Table of physical proportion for height, weight, and chest 
measurement. 


Age. 

Height. 

Weight. 

Chest 
measure- 
ment — 
expira- 
tion. 

Chest 

mobil- 

ity. 

1 7 VAATfl 


Inches. 

64 

65 

66 

67 

68 

69 

70 

71 

Pounds. 

110 

112 

114 

116 

119 

122 

125 

128 

Inches. 

29 

29M 

29 

29K 

30 

30H 

30)^ 

30H 

Inches. 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2>^ 

2^ 

2V2 




308 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


Table of 'physical proportion for height, weight, and chest 

measurement 


Age. 

Height. 

Weight. 

Chest 
measure- 
ment — 
expira- 
tion. 

Chest 

mobil- 

ity. 


Inches. 

Pounds. 

Inches. 

Inches. 



r 65 

117 

30M 

2 



66 

119 

30*^ 

2 



67 

121 

30% 

2 

18 years 


68 

124 

' 31 

2% 



69 

127 

31% 

2% 



70 

130 

31% 

2% 



71 

133 

31% 

2% 



1 72 

136 

32 

3 



r 65 

121 

30% 

2 



66 

123 

31 

2 



67 

125 

31% 

2 

19 years 


68 

129 

31% 

2% 


J 

' 69 

133 

31% 

2% 



70 

137 

32 

2% 



71 

141 

32% 

2% 



72 

145 

32% 

3 



73 

149 

32% 

3 



r 65 

122 

31 

2 



66 

124 

31% 

2 



67 

126 

31% 

2 



68 

130. 

31% 

2% 

20 years 


69 

134 

32 

2% 



70 

138 

32% 

2% 



71 

142 

32% 

2% 



72 

146 

32% 

3 



73 

150 

33 

3 



L 74 

154 

33% 

3% 



r 65 

123 

31% 

2 



66 

125 

31% 

2 



67 

127 

31% 

2 



68 

132 

32 

2% 

21 years 


69 

137 

32% 

2% 


< 

70 

142 

32% 

2% 



71 

147 

32% 

2% 



72 

152 

33 

, 3 



73 

157 

33% 

3 



74 

162 

33% 

3% 



75 

167 

33% 

3% 



f 65 

125 

31% 

2 



66 

127 

31% 

2 



67 

129 

32 

2 



68 

134 

32% 

2% 



69 

139 

32% 

2% 

22 yean 

J 

70 

144 

32% 

2% 



71 

149 

33 

2% 



72 

154 

33% 

3 



73 

159 

33% 

3 



74 

164 

33% 

3% 



75 

169 

34 

3% 



1 76 

174 

34% 

4 


APPENDIX 


309 


B 

MENTAL EXAMINATION 

Algebra. — • Candidates will.be required to pass a satisfactory 
examination in that portion of algebra which includes the follow- 
ing range of subjects: Definitions and notation; the fundamental 
laws; the fundamental operations, viz., addition, subtraction, 
multiplication and division; factoring; highest common factor; 
lowest common multiple; fractions, simple and complex; simple, 
or linear, equations with one unknown quantity; simultaneous 
simple, or linear, equations with two or more unknown quanti- 
ties; involution, including the formation of the squares and 
cubes of polynomials; binomial theorem with positive integral 
exponents; evolution, including the extraction of the square 
and cube roots of polynomials and of numbers; theory of expo- 
nents; radicals, including reduction and fundamental operations, 
rationalization, equations involving radicals, operations with 
imaginap^ numbers, quadratic equations; equations of quadratic 
form; simultaneous quadratic equations; ratio and proportion; 
arithmetical and geometrical progressions. Candidates will be 
required to solve problems involving any of the principles or 
methods contained in the foregoing subjects. 

Plane Geometry. — Candidates will be required to give accu- 
rate definitions of the terms used in plane geometry, to demon- 
strate any proposition of plane geometry as given in the ordinary 
textbooks, and to solve simple geometrical problems either by a 
construction or by an application of algebra. 

English Grammar. — Candidates must have a good knowledge 
of English grammar; they must be able to define the terms used 
therein; to define the parts of speech; to give inflections, in- 
cluding declension, conjugation, and comparison; to give the 
corresponding masculine and feminine gender nouns; to give 
and apply the ordinary rules of syntax. 

They must be able to parse correctly any ordinary sentence, 
giving the subject of each verb, the governing word of each ob- 
jective case, the word for which each pronoun stands or to which 
it refers, the words between which each preposition shows the 
relation, precisely what each conjunction and each relative 

f )ronoun connects, what each adjective and adverb qualifies or 
imits, the construction of each infinitive, and generally to show 
a good knowledge of the function of each word in the sentence. 

They must be able to correct in sentences or extracts any 
ordinary grammatical errors. 

It is not required that any particular textbook shall be fol- 
lowed; but the definitions, parsing, and corrections must be in 
accordance with good usage and common sense. 


310 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


English Composition and English Literature. — Candidates 
will be required: 

1. By the writing of short themes on subjects chosen by 
themselves within limits set by the examination paper, to prove 
(a) their ability to spell, capitalize, and punctuate, and (b) their 
mastery of the elementary principles of composition, including 
paragraphing and sentence-structure. 

2. To give evidence of intelligent acquaintance with three 
plays of Shakespeare: One comedy, one history, and one tragedy 
— The Merchant of Venice, Henry V, and Macbeth being espe- 
cially recommended. 

3. To exhibit a fair knowledge of the names of the most 
prominent English and American authors, and of the names of 
their principal works. 

Geography. — Candidates will be required to pass a satis- 
factory examination in descriptive geography and the elements 
of physical geography. A preponderance of weight is attached 
to a knowledge of the geography of the United States. 

In descriptive geography of the United States, candidates 
should be thoroughly informed as to its general features and 
boundaries; adjacent oceans, seas, bays, gulfs, sounds, straits, 
and islands; lakes; the location and extent of mountain ranges; 
the sources, directions, and terminations of the important rivers, 
the names of their principal tributaries, and at what points, if 
any, these rivers break through highlands on their way to the 
ocean; the water routes of communication from one part of the 
country to another; the location and termination of important 
railroad lines; the boundaries of the several States and Terri- 
tories and their order along the coasts, frontiers, and principal 
rivers; the locations and boundaries of the island possessions; 
and the names and locations of the capitals and other impor- 
tant cities of the several States, Territories, and island posses- 
sions. 

In short, the knowledge should be so complete that a clear 
mental picture of the whole of the United States is impressed 
on the mind of the candidate. 

In descriptive geography of other countries, candidates should 
be familiar with the continental areas and grand divisions of 
water; the earth’s surface; the large bodies of water which in 
part or wholly surround the grand divisions of the land; the 
capes, from what parts they project and into what waters, the 
pnncipal peninsulas, location, and by what waters embraced; 
the parts connected by an isthmus; the principal islands, loca- 
tion and surrounding waters; the seas, gulfs, and bays, the 
coasts they indent, and the waters to which they are subordinate; 
the straits, the lands they separate, and the waters they connect; 
the locations of the principal lakes; the locations, boundaries, 


APPENDIX 


311 


capitals and principal cities of the political divisions of the 
world. 

In physical geography, candidates should be familiar with the 
relief of the earth’s surface; the principal mountain systems, 
the river systems and watersheds; the coastal and lake plains; 
and the influence of climate, soil, mineral deposits, and other 
physical features on the resources, industries, commercial rela- 
tions, and development of a country and its people, especially 
of the United States. 

Bflstory. — Candidates must be thoroughly familiar with so 
much of the History of the United States and of Ancient Greece 
and Rome as is contained in good high-school textbooks on 
these subjects, and must have a good knowledge of the important 
facts in General Ancient History and in the History of Medieval 
Europe to the end of the fifteenth century. 

In History of the United States, the examination will include 
questions concerning early discoveries and settlements; the 
forms of government in the colonies; the causes, leading events, 
and results of wars; important events in the political and 
economic history of the nation since its foundation; and the 
elementary principles of civil government with special reference 
to the Federal Congress, executive, and judiciary. 

In Ancient History, the examination will include questions 
on important persons and events in the legendary and authentic 
history of Greece and Rome, and on general important facts in 
the history of other ancient peoples, taking some account also 
of Greek art, of Greek and Roman literature, and especially of 
Roman government. 

In History of Medieval Europe, the greater emphasis will be 
laid on the period from Charlemagne to the end of the Middle 
Ages, particularly on events connected with the political and 
social development of England. 

IV 

ACADEMIC DUTIES 

The academic duties of cadets commence on the 1st day of 
September and continue until about the 5th of June. Examina- 
tions of the several classes are held in December and June. At 
the December examination cadets who are found to be proficient 
in their studies are arranged according to merit in each subject. 
At the June examination they are similarly arranged, and they 
are also assigned general standing in the class as determined by 
their standings in the various subjects. When a subject of 
study is completed during a term, an examination concluding 


,312 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


the work in that subject is sometinaes held. Cadets deficient 
in studies at any examination are discharged from the academy 
unless for special reasons the academic board recommends 
otherwise. Cadets exceeding at any time the maximum number 
of demerits allowed for six months are immediately reported to 
the academic board as deficient in conduct and are discharged. 

V 

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION 

All cadets are examined physically in June of each year, and 
those found physically disqualified to continue with the course 
or, in case of the first class, for commission in the Army, are dis- 
charged. 


VI 

VACATIONS AND LEAVES OF ABSENCE 

Academic duties are suspended from the completion of the 
June examinations until the end of August. During this period 
cadets live in camp and are engaged in military duties and exer- 
cises and in receiving practical instruction in military and other 
subjects. Academic duties are also suspended from December 
24 until January 2, except for those undergoing examination, 
and on the Friday and Saturday preceding the last Sunday 
in March. All duties and exercises, as far as practicable, are 
suspended on. New Year’s Day, February 22, May 30, July 4, 
Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. 

Cadets of the first, second, and third classes not undergoing 
examination are allowed short leaves at Christmas, if their con- 
duct during the preceding six months has been satisfactory. 
Excepting these short leaves for good conduct, cadets are allowed 
but one leave of absence during the four years’ course. As a 
rule, this leave is granted at the end of the first two years and 
extends from the middle of June to the 28th of August. 

VII 

PAY OF CADETS 

The pay of a cadet is $600 per year and one ration per day, 
or commutation therefor at 30 cents per day. The total is 
$709.50, to conmience with his admission to the academy. The 


APPENDIX 


313 


actual and necessary traveling expenses of candidates from their 
homes to the Military Academy are credited to their accounts 
after their admission as cadets. 

No cadet is permitted to receive money, or any other supplies, 
from his parents, or from any person whomsoever, without the 
sanction of the superintendent. A most rigid observance of this 
regulation is urged upon all parents and guardians, as its viola- 
tions would make distinctions between cadets which it is the 
especial desire to avoid; the pay of a cadet is sufficient, with 
proper economy, for his support. 

Candidates are authorized to bring with them the following 
articles: Hair brush, nail brush, tooth brush, shoe brush, comb, 
8 drawers (summer), 12 handkerchiefs (white), 4 night shirts 
or pajamas, 8 socks (black cotton), 6 bath towels, 6 face towels, 
1 trunk, 8 undershirts (summer), whisk broom, shaving mug, 
winter underwear, and athletic uniforms, shoes, and goods. 

.Cadets are required to wear the prescribed uniform. All 
articles of their uniform are of a designated pattern, and are 
sold to cadets at West Point at regulat^ prices. 

VIII 

DEPOSIT PRIOR TO ADMISSION 

Immediately after admission candidates rnust be provided 
with an outfit of uniform, etc., the cost of which is about $160. 
This sum, or at least $100 thereof, must he deposited with the 
treasurer of the academy before the candidate is admitted. It is 
best for the candidate to take with him no more money than he 
needs for traveling expenses and for his parents to send the 
required deposit by draft, payable to the Treasurer, U. S. 
Military Academy. The deposit is credited at once to the 
cadet’s account. Upon graduation a cadet who has exercised 
proper economy will have sufficient money to his credit with 
the treasurer of the academy to purchase his uniform and equip- 
ment as an officer. 


IX 

PROMOTION AFTER GRADUATION 

The attention of applicants and candidates is called to the 
following provisions of an act of Congress approved May 1"^ 
1^6, to regulate the promotion of graduates of the United 
States Military Academy: 

“ That when any cadet of the United States Military Academy 


314 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


has gone through all its classes and received a regular diploma 
from the academic staff, he may be promoted and commissioned 
as a second lieutenant in any arm or corps of the Army in which 
there may be a vacancy and the duties of which he may have 
been judged competent to perform; and in case there shall not 
, at the time be a vacancy in such arm or corps, he may, at the 
discretion of the President, be promoted and commissioned 
in it as an additional second lieutenant, with the usual pay and 
allowances of a second lieutenant, until a vacancy shall happen.” 

X 

PROGRAM OF THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION 

Immediately following is shown the program of the course 
of instruction adopted by the academic board January 20, 1911, 
and approved by the War Department February 4, 1911. This 
program takes effect with the class entering June, 1911. 

THE ACADEMIC CALENDAR 

First term, Sept. 1-Dec. 23, embraces 94 a. m. and 78 p. m. periods. 

Second term, Jan. 2-June 4, embraces 128 a. m. and 107 p. m. periods. 

Semiannual examination, Dec. 26-31. 

Annual examination, June 5-June 12. 

a. m. periods extend from 7.55 a. m. to 12.08 p. m., except Sundays. 

p. m. periods extend from 1.25 to 3.30, except Saturdays and Sundays. 





Allotment of 
periods. 

Class. 

Subjects. 

Time. 

Length in 
minutes. 

Number 
in year. 

Totql 

number. 

Fourth 

Mathematics. . . 

a. m. — Daily 

80 

222 


English and His- 
tory. 

p. m. — Daily, except alterna- 
ting 40 days with sur- 
veying. 

60 

165 



do 

a. m. — Saturdays in December, 
January, February. 

60 

11 

176 


Surveying 

p. m. — Alternating 40 da^s with 
English and history, 
beginning Mar. 15. 

60 

20 

20 


Drill regulations 

a. m. — Saturdays in September, 
October, November, 
March, April, May. 
a. m. — Daily, except Saturday, 
Oct. 1-June 4. 

60 

25 




Gymnasium 

45 

161 



Third. 

Mathematics . . . 

a. m. — Daily to Mar. 1 

80 

143 



do 

a. m. — Alternating with chemis- 
try in March. 

80 

12 

'Hi' 


APPENDIX 


315 


Allotment of 
periods. 


Class. 

Subjects. 

Time. 

Length in 

minutes. 

Number 

in year. 

Total 

number. 

Third. 

Chemistry 

a. m. — Alternating with mathe- 
matics in March. 

70 

12 



do 

a. m. — Daily, Apr. 1-June 4 . . . 

70 

55 



French 

a. m. — Daily, except alterna- 
ting 24 days with drill 
regulations. 

60 

210 

210 


Drill regulations 

a. m. — Alternating 24 days with 
French, beginning 

Nov. 1. 

60 

12 



Drawing 

p. m. — Daily, Sept. 1-Oct. 31, 
and Mar. 16- June 4. 

120 

99 



....do 

p. m. — Alternating with riding 
Nov. 1-Mar. 15. 

120 

43 



Riding 

p. m. — Alternating with draw- 
ing Nov. 1-Mar. 15. 

60 

43 



Gymnasium .... 

p. m. — After drawing (after 
3.30) Nov. 1-Mar. 15, 
except Wednesdays. 

45 

35 

209 

Second 

Philosophy 

a. m. — Daily, except alterna- 
ting 26 days with hy- 
giene. 

80 

209 


Chemistry 

a. m. — Daily to Mar. 1 

70 

143 

210 


Spanish 

Hygiene 

a. m. — Daily, Mar. 1-June 4 . . 

60 

79 



a. m. — Alternating 26 days with 
philosophy, beginning 
Feb. 23. 

60 

13 

19 


.... do 

p. m. — Six lectures. Mar. 16-27. 

60 

6 


Drill regulations 

p. m. — 2.30-3.30, half class 
daily,alternating Mar. 
28-June 4. 

p. m. — One-half of the class 
daily, alternating, to 
Mar. 15. 

60 

24 

61 


Drawing 

120 

65 

207 


Riding 

p. m. — Alternating with gym- 
nastics Nov. 1-Mar. 
15, except Wednes- 
days. 

p. m. — After drawing (after 
3.30) Nov. 1-Mar. 1, 
except Wednesdays. 

45 

35 



Gymnasium .... 

45 

35 

218 

First. . 

Engineering 

a. m. — Daily, except 4 Satur- 

80 

218 


Spanish 

days for law. 

a. m. — One-half of the class 
daily to Mar. 1, alter- 
nating with riding. 

60 

71 

150 


Law 

p. m. — One-half of the class 
daily, alternating with 
ordnance. 

60 

93 




....do 

a. m. — One-fourth of the class 
daily. Mar. 1-June 4, 
except Saturdays after 
Mar. 31. 

60 

16 



316 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 





Allotment of 
periods. 

Class. 

Subjects. 

Time. 

Length in 

minutes. 

Number 

in year. 

Total 

number. 

First. . 

Law 

a. m. — 4 Saturdays 

80 

4 

113 


Ordnance 

p. m. — Alternating with law, 
one-half of the class 
daily. 

60 

93 



do 

a. m. — One-fourth of the class 
daily, Mar. 1-June 4, 
exceptlSaturdays after 
Mar. 31. 

60 

16 



.... do 

p. m. — Ten periods for shop- 
work after 2.30, Dec. 
1-Feb. 17, except 
Wednesdays. 


10 

119 


Hippology 

a. m. — Alternating with Span- 
ish 24 days in Septem- 
ber. 

60 

12 

12 


Riding 

a. m. — One-half of the class 
daily, except in Sep- 
tember, and whole 
class on Saturdays 
after Mar. 31. 

60 

103 

181 


Gymnasium .... 

p. m. — One-half of the class 
daily after 2.30, Nov. 
1-Mar. 15, except 
when attending ord- 
nance shopwork. 

45 

25 

256 


Intermediate examinations shall be held in the regular recitation periods 
allotted to the department concerned. 


DEPARTMENT OF TACTICS 

ALL CLASSES 

New cadets, upon reporting for duty, are given infantry re- 
cruit instruction, with gymnastic and calisthenic exercises, until 
they join the battalion. 

Practical instruction is given during the summer encampment, 
and from September 1 to November 1 and from March 15 to 
June 1 in cavalry, artillery, and infantry drill regulations, in 
target practice with the rifle, revolver, mountain gun, and field 
gun, and in military engineering. 

During the summer encampment cadets of the third and 
fourth classes are also taught swimming and dancing, and 
those of the first class the service of seacoast artillery and 
submarine defense at fortifications; all classes participate in 


APPENDIX 


317 


exercises in minor tactics, practice marches, problems, and 
practical field work, in which the employment of all arms is 
exemplified. 

Practical instruction in fencing and gymnastic exercises and 
in boxing and wrestling is given to the fourth class from October 
1 to June 1, and to the other classes from November 1 to March 

15. 

Instruction in riding is given to the first class during the en- 
campment and from September 1 to June 1, excepting the month 
of February; to the second class from November 1 to March 31, 
and to the third class from November 1 to March 15 and 
during the summer encampment. Instruction with English pad 
saddles is given to the first class, and in polo to the first and 
second classes. 

During the winter months map problems for the purpose of 
instruction in writing orders, selecting positions from the map, 
both offensive and defensive, making dispositions of small forces, 
selecting best route for advance and retreat, and for practice of 
map reading in general; also lectures upon the methods pursued 
in company, post, and staff administration as required by Army 
Regulations, upon uniforms and equipments, and upon etiquette 
and customs of the service are given cadets of the first class. 


DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND MILITARY ENGINEERING 

FIRST CLASS 

The course in civil and military engineering and the art of 
war is confined to the first class year. 

The course in civil engineering begins September 1 and is 
completed during the first term, which closes with the Christmas 
holidays. It comprises brief treatises on the mechanics of civil 
engineering, framed and masonry structures, the materials of 
engineering, water supply and sewerage. 

The course in military engineering and the art of war begins 
on January 2 and closes on the 3d of June. Milita:^ engineering 
embraces the study of field and permanent fortifications and 
siege works. The art of war embraces the study of the organiza- 
tion of armies, employment of the different arms in combination, 
logistics and strategy. To familiarize the students with its 
principles, lectures are delivered on military subjects and the 
principal operations of about 20 selected campaigns are studied. 
During this course the students are taken to the battlefield of 
Gettysburg to familiarize them with the effects of topography 
on the employment of troops in the field. 


318 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL 
PHILOSOPHY 

SECOND CLASS 

The course in natural and experimental philosophy begins 
with and continues throughout the third academic year. Me- 
chanics is studied during the first term. The text used is Gor- 
don’s “ Mechanics.” Many of the principles are illustrated by 
apparatus in the lecture and section rooms, and the students are 
required to repeat and explain these experiments. The course 
aims to be as complete as possible with the limitation that it 
can be properly covered in a term of about 90 to 100 days by 
students having a proficient knowledge of the calculus; the 
treatment is sufficiently mathematical to furnish a confident 
basis for advanced work in the technical staff after graduation. 

During the second term about 115 lessons are allotted to this 
department. The first half of this time is devoted to the subjects 
of sound and light. The authorized textbook is Gordon’s 
“ Sound and Light.” 

Astronomy is studied in the remainder of the second term. 
The texts used are Young’s “ General Astronomy ” and Michie 
and Harlow’s “ Practical Astronomy.” The principal aim of 
this course, in addition to its important value in ^ucational 
development, is to furnish an ample basis for the establishment 
of stations in explorations and surveys. 

The class attends daily throughout the year, except one 
month, during which half the class attends daily. 

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS 

THIRD AND FOURTH CLASSES 

The course in mathematics begins with the fourth class year 
and continues to March 31 of the third class year. 

In the fourth class year, algebra is completed in alternation; 
first with geometry, then with trigonometry. Plane analytical 
geometry and descriptive geometry follow in alternation. 

In the third class year, plane and solid analytical geometry 
and descriptive geometry are completed in alternation. The 
calculus and least squares finish the course. 

The course in algebra covers the entire subject as generally 
taught in colleges, but the student is expected to have already 
mastered elementary algebra to include the progressions and the 
solution of the quadratic equation. The course in elementary 
geometry includes the books that relate to the plane and those 
that relate to space, but the student is expected to have mastered 


APPENDIX 


319 


the former. Plane and spherical trigonometry includes the 
complete solution of the plane and spherical triangles. The 
course in analytical geometry includes the discussion of the 
general equation of the second degree in the plane and the par- 
ticular forms of the equation of the second degree in space. 

Descriptive geometry includes, in orthographic projections, 
the right line, the plane, ruled surfaces and surfaces of revolution, 
tangent planes and intersections of surfaces. It also covers 
shades and shadows, perspective, isometric projections and, for 
the upper part of the class, spherical projections. 

The course in differential and integral calculus covers the 
ground of the usual college textbook, including briefly the sub- 
ject of ordinary differential equations. 

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, MINERALOGY, AND 
GEOLOGY 

THIRD AND SECOND CLASSES 

This department embraces two branches of physics not in- 
cluded in its title, namely, heat and electricity. 

The course begins March 1 of the second academic year and 
extends to March 1 of the third academic year; exercises, recita- 
tions, laboratory work or lectures take place on all week days. 

Commencing March 1 general chemistry, supplemented by a 
few lessons in heat, occupy the time until the close of the term 
in June, recitations or other exercises being had daily. 

This term closes with an examination upon the essential parts 
of the entire course, which all cadets who have not shown a re- 
quired proficiency in daily work must take. 

The course is a descriptive general one, based upon a concise 
statement of the more essential principles of chemistry, and 
includes that class of information deemed most important to 
nonspecialists, together with an accurate and logical treatment 
of many useful applications of chemistry. 

During this term all members of the class whose progress, 
as shown by their recitations, warrants it, are given laboratory 
practice. This begins with chemical manipulations and proceeds 
in the usual general order of elementary laboratory work. The 
laboratory exercises are 1 hour and 50 minutes long. It is gen- 
erally possible to give all parts of the class some laboratory 
experience; the amount of this work, however, varies with the 
aptitude of the student from a few hours to 55 or 60 hours. 

Beginning September 1 the daily exercises alternate between 
heat and mineralogy until these subjects are completed, then 
the daily exercises alternate between geology and electricity, 
the geology being completed by the close of the term, Decern- 


320 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


ber 23. This term also closes with an examination, covering the 
essential parts of the subjects studied during the term, which 
all cadets who have not shown a required proficiency in daily 
work must take. 

Beginning January 1 the remainder of the course in electricity 
is completed by the end of February. This midwinter term in- 
volves an examination, if necessary, as prescribed for the terms 
ending June 1 and December 23. 

The course in heat is short, but it is a comprehensive elemen- 
tary course intended to embrace what is most applicable to sub- 
sequent work at the academy and what is most useful in general 
education. 

The course in geology is a brief but scientific presentation 
of the essential elements of this branch of science. 

The mineralogy is an eminently practical course consisting 
of the descriptive study and the practical determination of the 
important minerals. The lithological and palaeontological part 
of geology is accompanied in study by the continued practical 
examination of the objects described. 

The course in electricity is a brief exposition of the leading 
electrical phenomena and their relations to each other. It in- 
cludes a study of the general principles of the subject and of the 
typical machmes, generators, motors, and transformers, together 
with the more important uses of electricity. The laborato^ 
exercises give experience with a number of the machines and in 
the use of a great variety of apparatus employed in the numerous 
forms of electric measurements. In this term the laboratory 
work is a part of the electrical course and all cadets enter the 
laboratory. All laboratory work is performed imder the imme- 
diate supervision of an instructor. 

DEPARTMENT OF DRAWING 

THIRD CLASS COURSE 

Attendance. — Daily, September 1 to October 31. 

Alternating days, November 1 to March 15. 

Daily, March 16 to June 1. 

This course includes instruction in the use of drawing instru- 
ments and drawing materials; problems in plane geometrical 
constructions: freehand drawing from blocks and objects; 
problems in descriptive geometry corresponding to the theoreti- 
cal course in mathematics; lettering; flat washes in water 
colors; topographical drawing; and topographical sketching. 
The more apt students are given additional advanced work. 


APPENDIX 


321 


SECOND CLASS COURSE 

Attendance. — Alternate days September 1 to March 15. 

This course includes sketching in the field; memory drawing; 
freehand mechanical and projective drawing; plans, sections, 
and elevations of buildings j machine drawing; and a final 
subject adapted to the particular student and his prospective 
service in the Army. 

DEPARTMENT OF MODERN LANGUAGES 

THIRD, SECOND, AND FIRST CLASSES 

The course in modern languages comprises instruction in 
French and in Spanish. 


French 

THIRD CLASS 

Instruction is given in reading and in writing French; in 
composition and in conversation. The course opens Septembef 1 
and continues until June 4, some 210 lessons in all. 

Spanish 

SECOND AND FIRST CLASSES 

Instruction is given in reading and in writing Spanish; in 
composition and in conversation, to which special attention is 
given. The course opens March 1 of the second class year and 
closes March 1 of the first class year, 150 lessons all told. 

DEPARTMENT OF LAW 

FIRST CLASS 

The course in law begins with and continues tlmoughout the 
fourth academic year and covers the following subjects: 

1. The elements of law. I 3. International law. 

2. Constitutional law. ' 4. Military law. 

To illustrate principles in the textbooks cadets are required to 
recite on numerous cases from the reports. Lectures are also 
given upon the subjects taught, so far as the limits of time 
allotted to this course permit. 


322 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


DEPARTMENT OF PRACTICAL MILITARY 
ENGINEERING 

FOURTH, THIRD, SECOND, AND FIRST CLASSES 

Cadets of the fourth class receive an elementary course in 
theoretical surveying between March 15 and May 15. 

During the summer encampment cadets of the third class 
receive practical instruction in the use and adjustment of sur- 
veying instruments and in surveying methods. In this course 
they apply in the field what has been taught them in their 
theoretical course of the preceding spring. The course includes 
tie line surveys, made by use of the tape or chain alone, surveys 
made with the compass and with the transit, and running dif- 
ferential level circuits. 

Cadets of the second class receive, during the fall drill season, 
instruction in visual signaling, using the flag and the heliograph 
for sending and receiving messages. They are also taught to 
set up and adjust the heliograph and the acetylene lantern. 
During Hie spring period this class is instructed in the field 
methods of electrical communication, and is given practice in 
establishing and using buzzer lines under, as nearly as possible, 
service conditions. The course also comprises setting up ana 
operating field wireless telegraph outfits. 

During the summer encampment cadets of the first class are 
instructed in building pile, trestle, and pontoon bridges, in im- 

E revising methods of crossing streams, in making road sketches, 
oth mounted and dismounted, and in combined position sketch- 
ing. During the fall course this class is given instruction in the 
construction and operation of appliances used in field engineering, 
in the erection of spar and trestle bridges, and in the use of 
explosives in military demolitions. The spring course is devoted 
to field fortification work, including the construction of trenches, 
revetments, obstacles, bomb proofs, and gun pits; posting and 
distribution of working parties in the construction of saps, 
trenches, parallels, and approaches; and tracing and profiling 
siege works. 

DEPARTMENT OF ORDNANCE AND GUNNERY 

FIRST CLASS 

The subject of ordnance and gunnery is studied by the cadets 
of the first class throughout the academic year. 

The course of instruction covers the principles involved in the 
construction and use of war material. It is broadly divided into 
three parts — the theoretical, the descriptive, and the practical. 


APPENDIX 


323 


The theoretical part includes the study of the action of explo- 
sives, the study of interior and exterior ballistics, the theories 
of gun and carriage construction, and the principles of gunnery. 
The theoretical part of the course is not the same for all cadets, 
those showing the necessary proficiency taking a special course 
of 22 lessons in the time devoted by the remainder of the class 
to review work. 

The descriptive part of the course covers the processes of 
manufacture of powders, guns, projectiles, and armor; and d^ 
scribes the small arms, cannon, machine and rapid-fire guns in 
use in the United States service, with the carriages, ammunition 
and accessory appliances required for their service. The depart- 
ment is well supplied with models, which are used in conjunction 
with the text. 

The practical part of the course covers work with ballistic 
instruments, and the operation of machines and appliances used 
in the fabrication of modem ordnance, the latter work being in 
effect a short but valuable course in manual training. 

In connection with the course, visits are made to Watervliet 
Arsenal, where the processes of gun constmction are observed, 
and to the Ordnance Proving Ground at Sandy Hook, where 
actual firings from the several classes of guns are observed, 
including usually one or more shots against armor, and where 
the latest developments in war material are seen. 


DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY HYGIENE 

SECOND CLASS 

The course in military hygiene consists of 6 lectures and 13 
recitations and occupies the period February 23 to March 27 
approximately. 

The course covers the essential points in military hygiene, 
as follows: Personal hygiene, with special reference to the 
soldier and his environment. The nature of alcoholic drinks 
and narcotics and their effects upon the human system. The 
hygiene and sanitation of military commands in garrison and in 
the field (including foods and their preparation; drinking water 
and its relation to disease; military clothing and equipment; 
ventilation, lighting, plumbing, and heating of barracks; camps 
and camp sites; the disposal of wastes; marches; the care of the 
feet; sanitary appliances; methods of practical sanitation). 
The selection of recruits; hygiene of hot and cold climates; 
the chief preventable diseases of soldiers; the defenses against 
disease in general. 

During the summer camp 5 lectures are given to the first class 


324 CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER-STRAPS 


on the use of the first-aid packet, the treatment of medical and 
surgical emergencies and the practical employment of sanitary 
appliances. 

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND HISTORY 

FOURTH CLASS 

The course in English and history begins with the fourth class 
in September and continues throughout the academic year, 
the whole class attending daily except Saturday (Saturdays 
also in December, January, and Februaiy). The class is divided 
into two parts, which alternate in reciting English and history. 

In English the course of instruction is planned to inculcate 
the essential principles of rhetoric, both by study of the text- 
book and by frequent practice in the various forms of composi- 
tion (including practice in personal and official correspondence), 
to create an intelligent appreciation of the best in English liter- 
ature by the study of selected literary masterpieces, to impart 
a knowledge of the important facts in the history of English 
literature and language by the study of a textbook and by 
lectures. 

In history the course of instruction is plaimed to acquaint the 
student with the political, social, and economic history from the 
end of the middle ages to the present day, to make him familiar 
with the fundamental principles of civil government, with 
special reference to the United States, and to give him knowledge 
of various typical forms of modem national and municipal 
governments. 


THE LIBRARY 

Cadets and officers have free access to the library, which com- 
prises some 80,000 books, maps, and manuscripts. The collec- 
tion contains substantially all standard books on the subjects 
taught in the academy and is especially complete in military 
subjects. Its card catalogues (about 272,000 cards) are arranged 
with the special object of saving the time of cadets. The library 
is open on week days from 8 a. m. to 9.30 p. m.; on Sundays and 
holidays from 2 to 6 p. m. 


Selections from 
The Page Company’s 
Books for Young People 


THE BLUE BONNET SERIES 

Each large l£mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, 'per 
volume $1.50 

A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 

By Caroline E. Jacobs. 

“ The book’s heroine, Blue Bonnet, has the very finest 
kind of wholesome, honest, lively girlishness and cannot 
but make friends with every one who meets her through 
the book as medium.” — Chicago Inter-Ocean. 

BLUE BONNET’S RANCH PARTY 

By Caroline E. Jacobs and Edyth Ellerbeck Read. 
“ The story is both pretty and unhackneyed in its sim- 
plicity, and is as unlike the ordinary tale of Texas as any- 
thing to be imagined.” — The Living Age. 

BLUE BONNET IN BOSTON ; Or, Boarding- 
School Days at Miss North’s. 

By Caroline E. Jacobs and Lela Horn Richards. 
Blue Bonnet enters a Boston boarding-school in this 
volume, and though she finds it rather hard to conform 
to the rules and regulations, her breezy, generous and 
impulsive nature soon make her a favorite at the select 
school. 

A— 1 


THE PAGE COMPANY’S 


THE YOUNG PIONEER SERIES 

By Harrison Adams 

Each 12mOj cloth decorative, illustrated, per 
volume $1.25 

THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE OHIO; Or, 

Clearing the Wilderness. 

“ Such books as this are an admirable means of stimu- 
lating among the young Americans of to-day interest in 
the story of their pioneer ancestors and the early days of 
the Republic.” — Boston Globe, 

“ Very interesting and instructive from a historical 
point of view, as giving an accurate idea of the hardships 
endured by the pioneers of the Revolutionary days.” — 
Omaha Excelsior. 

THE PIONEER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES ; 

Or, On the Trail of the Iroquois. 

“ The recital of the daring deeds of the frontier is not 
only interesting but instructive as well and shows the 
sterling type of character which these days of self-reliance 
and trial produced.” — American Tourist, Chicago. 

THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE MISSISSIPPI; 

Or, The Homestead in the Wilderness. 

“ The story is told with spirit, is full of adventure and 
\dll prove one of the most popular contributions to the 
literature of those days when bold pioneers paved the 
way to the present settlement and civilization of the 
Middle West.” — New York Sun. 

THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE MISSOURI; 

Or, In the Country of the Sioux. 

‘‘ Vivid in style, vigorous in movement, full of dramatic 
situations, true to historic perspective, this story is a 
capital one for boys.” — Watchman Examiner, New York 
City. 

A— 2 


BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


THE HADLEY HALL SERIES 

By Louise M. Breitenbach 
Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per 
volume $1.60 

ALMA AT HADLEY HALL 

“ The author is to be congratulated on having written 
such an appealing book for girls.” — Detroit Free Press. 

ALMA’S SOPHOMORE YEAR 

“ It cannot fail to appeal to the lovers of good things 
in girls’ books.” — Boston Herald. 

“ It is a wholesome story as well as a most entertaining 
one, and is a valuable addition to the literature for girls.” 
— The Gateway Gazette, Beaumont, Cal. 

ALMA’S JUNIOR YEAR 

“ The diverse characters in the boarding-school are 
strongly drawn, the incidents are well developed and the 
action is never dull.” — The Boston Herald. 


THE GIRLS OF 
FRIENDLY TERRACE SERIES 

By Harriet Lummis Smith 
Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, 
per volume $1.60 

THE GIRLS OF FRIENDLY TERRACE 

“ A book sure to please girl readers, for the author seems 
to understand perfectly the girl character.” — Boston 
Globe. 

PEGGY RAYMOND’S VACATION 

“It is a clean, wholesome, hearty story, well told and 
full of incident. It is not an impossible creation, nor an 
improbable one. Indeed, it is all very lifelike, and carries 
one through experiences that hearten and brighten the 
day.” — Utica, N. Y., Observer. 

A— 3 


THE PAGE COMPANrS 


FAMOUS LEADERS SERIES 

By Charles H. L. Johnston 
Each large 12mOy cloth decorative, illustrated, per 

volume $1.50 

FAMOUS CAVALRY LEADERS 

“More of such books should be written, books that 
acquaint young readers with historical personages in a 
pleasant, informal way.” — New York Sun. 

“ It is a book that will stir the heart of every boy and 
will prove interesting as well to the adults.” — Lawrence 
Daily World. 

FAMOUS INDIAN CfflEFS 

“ Mr. Johnston has done faithful work in this volume, 
and his relation of battles, sieges and struggles of these 
famous Indians with the whites for the possession of 
America is a worthy addition to United States History.” 
— New York Marine Journal. 

FAMOUS SCOUTS 

“ It is the kind of a book that will have a great fascina- 
tion for boys and young men, and while it entertains them 
it will also present valuable information in regard to 
those who have left their impress upon the history of the 
country.” — The New London Day. 

FAMOUS PRIVATEERSMEN AND ADVEN- 
TURERS OF THE SEA 

“ The tales are more than merely interesting; they are 
entrancing, stirring the blood with thrilling force and 
bringing new zest to the never-ending interest in the 
dramas of the sea.” — The Pittsburgh Post. 

FAMOUS FRONTIERSMEN AND HEROES 
OF THE BORDER 

This book is devoted to a description of the adventur- 
ous lives and stirring experiences of many pioneer heroes 
who were prominently identified with the opening of the 
Great West. 

“ The accounts are not only authentic, but distinctly 
readable, making a book of wide appeal to all who love 
the history of actual adventure.” — Cleveland Leader. 
A— 4 


BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


DOCTOR’S LITTLE GIRL SERIES 

By Marion Ames Taggart 

Each large 12mo, cloth, illustrated, per vol. . $1.50 

THE DOCTOR^S LITTLE GIRL 

“ A charming story of the ups and downs of the life of a 
dear little maid.” — The Churchman. 

SWEET NANCY: The Further Adventures of 
THE Doctor’s Little Girl. 

“ Just the sort of book to amuse, while its influence 
cannot but be elevating.” — New York Sun. 

NANCY, THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE PARTNER 

“The story is sweet and fascinating, such as many girls 
of wholesome tastes will enjoy.” — Springfield Union. 

NANCY PORTER'S OPPORTUNITY 

“ Nancy shows throughout that she is a splendid young 
woman, with plenty of pluck.” — Boston Globe. 

NANCY AND THE COGGS TWINS 

The breezy Coggs twins — four girls — first introduced 
in “Nancy, the Doctor’s Little Partner,” take the centre 
of the stage in this new story, although Nancy plays a 
most important part. 


THE SUNBRIDGE GIRLS AT SIX STAR 
RANCH 

By Eleanor Stuart. 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . . $1.50 

“ It is a wholesome tale about healthy, lovable girls.” 
— Scranton Times. 

THE FIDDLING GIRL 

By Daisy Rhodes Campbell. 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . ^ . $1.25 

A charming story of how a young girl realizes her am- 
bitions and becomes an accomplished violinist. 

THE ISLAND OF MAKE BELIEVE 

By Blanche E. Wade. 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . $1.50 

This is a delightful story of the different ways in which 
little people can entertain themselves. 

A— 5 


THE PAGE COMP ANTS 


THE BOYS^ STORY OF THE 
RAILROAD SERIES 

By Burton E. Stevenson 

Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per 
volume $1.60 

THE YOUNG SECTION - HAND ; Or, The Ad- 

ventures OF Allan West. 

“ A thrilling story, well told, clean and bright. The 
whole range of section railroading is covered in the story, 
and it contains information as well as interest.” — Chicago 
Post. 

THE YOUNG TRAIN DISPATCHER 

“ A vivacious account of the varied and often hazard- 
ous nature of railroad life, full of incident and adventure, 
in which the author has woven admirable advice about 
honesty, manliness, self-culture, good reading, and the 
secrets of success.” — Congregationalist. 

THE YOUNG TRAIN MASTER 

“ It is a book that can be unreservedly commended to 
anyone who loves a good, wholesome, thrilling, informing 
yarn.” — Passaic News. 

THE YOUNG APPRENTICE j Or, Allan West’s 

Chum. > 

“ The story is intensely interesting, and one gains an 
intimate knowledge of the methods and works in the 
great car shops not easily gained elsewhere.” — Baltimore 
Sun. 

“ It appeals to every boy of enterprising spirit, and at 
the same time teaches him some valuable lessons in honor, 
pluck, and perseverance.” : — Cleveland Plain Dealer. 

“ The lessons that the books teach in development of 
uprightness, honesty and true manly character are sure 
to appeal to the reader.” — The American Boy. 

A — 6 


BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


THE LITTLE COLONEL BOOKS 

(Trade Mark) 

By Annie Fellows Johnston 
Each large 12mo, cloth, illustrated, per volume . $1.50 

THE LITTLE COLONEL STORIES 

(Trade Mark) 

Being three “ Little Colonel ” stories in the Cosy Corner 
Series, “ The Little Colonel,” “ Two Little Knights of 
Kentucky,” and “ The Giant Scissors,” in a single volume. 

THE LITTLE COLONEL’S HOUSE PARTY 

(Trade Mark) 

THE LITTLE COLONEL’S HOLIDAYS 

(Trade Mark) 

THE LITTLE COLONEL’S HERO 

(Trade Mark) 

THE LITTLE COLONEL AT BOARDING- 

(Trade Mark) 

SCHOOL 

THE LITTLE COLONEL IN ARIZONA 

(Trade Mark) 

THE LITTLE COLONEL’S CHRISTMAS 

(Trade Mark) 

VACATION 

THE LITTLE COLONEL, MAID OF HONOR 

(Trade Mark) 

THE LITTLE COLONEL’S KNIGHT COMES 

(Trade Mark) 

RIDING 

MARY WARE: THE LITTLE COLONEL’S 

(Trade Mark) 

CHUM 

MARY WARE IN TEXAS 
MARY WARE’S PROMISED LAND 

These twelve volumes, boxed as a set, $18.00. 

A— 7 


THE PAGE COMPANTS 


SPECIAL HOLIDAY EDITIONS 

Each small quarto, cloth decorative, per volume . $1.25 

New plates, handsomely illustrated with eight full-page 
drawings in color, and many marginal sketches. 

THE LITTLE COLONEL 

(Trade Mark) 

TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS OF KENTUCKY 
THE GIANT SCISSORS 
BIG BROTHER 

THE JOHNSTON JEWEL SERIES 

Each small 16mo, cloth decorative, with frontispiece 

and decorative text borders, per volume . . $0.50 

IN THE DESERT OF WAITING: The Legend 
OF Camelback Mountain. 

THE THREE WEAVERS: A Fairy Tale for 
Fathers and Mothers as Well as for Their 
Daughters. 

KEEPING TRYST: A Tale OF King Arthur’s 
Time. 

THE LEGEND OF THE BLEEDING HEART 
THE RESCUE OF PRINCESS WINSOME: 

A Fairy Play for Old and Young. 

THE JESTER^S SWORD 


THE LITTLE COLONEL^S GOOD TIMES 
BOOK 

Uniform in size with the Little Colonel Series . $1.50 

Bound in white kid (morocco) and gold . . 3.00 

Cover design and decorations by Peter Verberg. 

“ A mighty attractive volume in which the owner may 
record the good times she has on decorated pages, and 
under the directions as it were of Annie Fellows John- 
ston.” — Buffalo Express. 

A“”8 


BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


THE LITTLE COLONEL DOLL BOOK 

Quarto, boards, printed in colors . . . $1.50 

A series of “ Little Colonel ” dolls. There are many of 
them and each has several changes of costume, so that 
the happy group can be appropriately clad for the re- 
hearsal of any scene or incident in the series. 

THE MARY WARE DOLL BOOK 

Quarto, boards, printed in colors , . . $1.50 

An artistic series of paper dolls, including not only 
lovable Mary Ware, the Little Colonel’s chum, but many 
another of the much loved characters which appear in 
the last three volumes of the famous “ Little Colonel 
Series.” 

ASA HOLMES 

By Annie Fellows Johnston. 

With a frontispiece by Ernest Fosbery. 

16mo, cloth decorative, gilt top . . . $1.00 

“ ‘ Asa Holmes ’ is the most delightful, most sympa- 
thetic and wholesome book that has been published in a 
long while.” — Boston Times. 

TRAVELERS FIVE: ALONG LIFERS HIGH- 
WAY 

By Annie Fellows Johnston. 

With an introduction by Bliss Carman, and a frontis- 
piece by E. H. Garrett. 

12mo, cloth decorative ^ . $1.25 

“ Mrs. Johnston broadens her reputation with this book 
so rich in the significance of common things.” — Boston 
Advertiser. 

JOEL: A BOY OF GALILEE 

By Annie Fellows Johnston. 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . . $1.50 

“ The book is a very clever handling of the greatest 
event in the history of the world.” — Rochester, N. Y., 
Herald. 

” Reverently written, it possesses much attraction for 
the piously inclined, and this seems to have increased 
rather than decreased in the years the work has been 
before the public.” — Chicago Daily News, 

A— 9 


THE PAGE COMPANY’S 


WORKS OF 

MARSHALL SAUNDERS 

Each large Itmo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per 
volume $1.50 

BEAUTIFUL JOE’S PARADISE J Or, The Island 
OF Brotherly Love. A Sequel to “ Beautiful Joe.” 

“ This book revives the spirit of ‘ Beautiful Joe ’ capi- 
tally. It is fairly riotous with fun, and is about as unusual 
as anything in the animal book line that has seen the 
light.” — Philadelphia Item. 

TILDA JANE 

“ I cannot think of any better book for children than 
this. I commend it unreservedly.” — Cyrus T. Brady. 

TILDA JANE’S ORPHANS. A Sequel to “ Tilda 
Jane.” 

“It is written in the author’s best vein, and presents 
a variety of interesting characters.” — New London Day. 

TILDA JANE IN CALIFORNIA 

The story is full of life and action, and troubles, which 
lead to character building, mingled with fun and cheer- 
fulness, and is a wholesome book to put in the hands of 
girl readers. 

PUSSY BLACK - FACE: The Story of a Kitten 

AND Her Friends. 

“ This is one of Marshall Saunders’s best stories, and 
Miss Saunders has an enviable reputation as a writer of 
animal life.” — Los Angeles, Cal., Express. 

THE STORY OF THE GRAVELYS 

“ The story is full of that refinement which ^peals to 
the best taste. It takes for its motto Cardinal Gibbons’s 
expression that ‘ A child’s needless tear is a blood-blot 
on this earth,’ and works out a beautiful and moving 
story.” — St. Louis Globe-Democrat. 

A— 10 


BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


WORKS OF EVALEEN STEIN 

THE CHRISTMAS PORRINGER 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated by Adelaide 

Everhart $1.25 

This story happened many hundreds of years ago in 
the quaint Flemish city of Bruges and concerns a little 
girl named Karen, who worked at lace-making with her 
aged grandmother. 

GABRIEL AND THE HOUR BOOK 

Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and 
decorated in colors by Adelaide Everhart , . $1.00 

“No works in juvenile fiction contain so many of the 
elements that stir the hearts of children and grown-ups as 
well as do the stories so admirably told by this author.” 

— Louisville Daily Courier. 

A LITTLE SHEPHERD OF PROVENCE 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated by Diantha 

H. Marlowe $1.25 

“ The story should be one of the influences in the life 
of every child to whom good stories can be made to 
appeal.” — Public Ledger. 

THE LITTLE COUNT OF NORMANDY 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated by John Goss $1.25 
“ This touching and pleasing story is told with a wealth 
of interest coupled with enlivening descriptions of the 
country where its scenes are laid and of the people thereof.” 

— Wilmington Every Evening. 


THE LITTLE FLORENTINE 

By H. Twitchell. 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . . $1.25 

An unusually charming story of a talented young mu- 
sician, who lived in the early part of the seventeenth 
century, and of his struggle for recognition. 

A— 11 


THE PAGE COMPANrS 


THE RIVAL CAMPERS SERIES 

By Ruel Perley Smith 
Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, 'per 
volume $1.50 

THE RIVAL CAMPERS; Or, The Adventures 
OF Henry Burns. 

“ The best boys’ book since ‘ Tom Sawyer.’ ” — San 
Francisco Examiner. 

THE RIVAL CAMPERS AFLOAT; Or, The 

Prize Yacht Viking. 

“ An excellent and exciting story with abundant matter 
of interest to attract healthy minds.” — N. Y. Sun. 

THE RIVAL CAMPERS ASHORE; Or, The 

Mystery op the Mill. 

“ As interesting ashore as when afloat, and they keep 
things pretty well stirred up individually as well as col- 
lectively.” — The Interior. 

THE RIVAL CAMPERS AMONG THE OYS- 
TER PIRATES; Or, Jack Harvey’s Adventures. 
“ Just the type of book which is most popular with lads 
who are in their early teens.” — The Philadelphia Item. 


RALPH SOMERBY AT PANAMA 

By Francis Raleigh. 

Large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . $1.50 

“ It is full of action, contains many a bit of historical 
information, and is not exaggerated in any way. The 
boys will enjoy reading it immensely.” — Boston Times. 


HAWK: THE YOUNG OSAGE 

By C. H. Robinson. 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . , $1.25 

“ Such books are helpful, for they add a vast fund of 
knowledge to a boy’s mind and he is stimulated to engage 
in sports which develop the body and inspire the mind.” 
— New Haven Times Leader. 

A— 12 


BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


THE SANDMAN SERIES 

By William J. Hopkins 
Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, 'per 
volume $1.60 

THE SANDMAN: His Farm Stories. 

“ Mothers and fathers and kind elder sisters who take 
the little ones to bed and rack their brains for stories will 
find this book a treasure.” — Cleveland Leader. 

THE SANDMAN: More Farm Stories. 

“ Children will call for these stories over and over 
again.” — Chicago Evening Post. 

THE SANDMAN : His Ship Stories. 

“ Little ones will understand and delight in the stories 
and their parents will read between the lines and recognize 
the poetic and artistic work of the author.” — Indianap- 
olis News. . 

THE SANDMAN: His Sea Stories. 

“Once upon a time there was a man who knew little 
children and the kind of stories they liked, so he wrote 
four books of Sandman’s stories, all about the farm or 
the sea, and the brig Industry, and this book is one of 
them.” — Canadian Congregationalist. 

THE ALYS SERIES 

By Una MacDonald 

Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per 
volume . $1.50 

ALYS - ALL - ALONE 

“So real it touches the heart-strings.” — Springfield 
Union. 

ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

“ One cannot read this book without feeling that its 
author intends that we may see and understand and feel 
more deeply, and, perhaps, more joyously.” — New York 
Observer. 

A— 13 


THE PAGE COMPANTS 


THE BOYS^ STORY OF THE 
ARMY SERIES 

By Florence Kimball Russel 

BORN TO THE BLUE 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . _ . . $1.25 

“ The story deserves warm commendation and genuine 
popularity.” — Army and Navy Register. 

IN WEST POINT GRAY 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . . $1.50 

“ The presentment of life in the famousvmihtary acad- 
emy whence so many heroes have graduated is realistic 
and enjoyable.” — New York Sun. 

FROM CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER- 
STRAPS 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . .$1.50 

In this book the reader again follows the experiences 
of Lieutenant Jack Stirling; this time during his junior 
and senior years at West Point. Mrs. Russel’s stories are 
full of reality and every page breathes the spirit and mili- 
tary atmosphere of West Point. 

THE BOYS OF THE 
REVOLUTION SERIES 

By John V. Lane 

Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, 'per 

volume $1.50 

MARCHING WITH MORGAN; Or, How Don- 
ald Lovell Became a Soldier of the Revolution 
“ The 'tale is an excellent one for boys, portraying in a 
realistic manner the beginning of the great struggle for 
independence.” — Louisville Evening Post. 

RODNEY, THE RANGER; Or, With Daniel 
Morgan on Trail and Battlefield. 

“ A better book for boys has never left an American 
press.” — Springfield Union. 

A — 14 


BOOKS FOR YOUNO PEOPLE 


THE LITTLE COUSIN SERIES 

(trade mark) 

Each volume illustrated with six or more full page plates in 
tint. Cloth, i 2 mo, with decorative cover, 
per volume, 6o cents 

LIST OF TITLES 


By Mary Hazelton Wade, Mary F. 
Nixon-Roulet, Blanche McManus, 
Clara V. Winlow, Florence E. 
Mendel and Others 


Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
Our Little 
A— 15 


African Cousin Our 
Alaskan Cousin Our 
Arabian Cousin Our 
Argentine Cousin Our 
Armenian Cousin Our 
Australian Cousin Our 
Austrian Cousin Our 
Belgian Cousin Our 
Boer Cousin 
Bohemian Cousin Our 
Brazilian Cousin Our 
Bulgarian Cousin Our 
Canadian Cousin Our 
Chinese Cousin Our 
Cuban Cousin Our 
Danish Cousin Our 
Dutch Cousin Our 
Egyptian Cousin Our 
English Cousin Our 
Eskimo Cousin Our 
French Cousin Our 
German Cousin Our 
Grecian Cousin Our 
Hawaiian Cousin Our 
Hindu Cousin Our 


Little Hungarian Cousin 
Little Indian Cousin 
Little Irish Cousin 
Little Italian Cousin 
Little Japanese Cousin 
Little Jewish Cousin 
Little Korean Cousin 
Little Malayan (Brown) 
Cousin 

Little Mexican Cousin 
Little Norwegian Cousin 
Little Panama Cousin 
Little Persian Cousin 
Little Philippine Cousin 
Little Polish Cousin 
Little Porto Rican Cousin 
Little Portuguese Cousin 
Little Russian Cousin 
Little Scotch Cousin 
Little Servian Cousin 
Little Siamese Cousin 
Little Spanish Cousin 
Little Swedish Cousin 
Little Swiss Cousin 
Little Turkish Cousin 


THE PAGE COMPANY’S 


THE LITTLE COUSINS OF LONG 
AGO SERIES 

The publishers have concluded that a companion series 
to “ The Little Cousin Series,” giving the every-day child 
life of ancient times will meet with approval, and like the 
other series will be welcomed by the children as well as 
by their elders. The volumes of this new series are accu- 
rate both historically and in the description of every-day 
life of the time, as well as interesting to the child. 

Each small 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . 60c 

OUR LITTLE ROMAN COUSIN OF LONG 
AGO 

By Julia Darrow Cowles. 

OUR LITTLE ATHENIAN COUSIN OF LONG 
AGO 

By Julia Darrow Cowles. 

OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN OF LONG 
AGO 

By Julia Darrow Cowles. 

THE PHYLLIS SERIES 

By Lenore E. Mulets 
Each 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, 'per 
volume . . . . $1.25 

PHYLLIS^ INSECT STORIES 

PHYLLIS* FLOWER STORIES 

PHYLLIS* BIRD STORIES 

PHYLLIS* STORIES OF LITTLE ANIMALS 

PHYLLIS* STORIES OF BIG ANIMALS 

PHYLLIS* TREE STORIES 

PHYLLIS* STORIES OF LITTLE FISHES 

“ An original idea cleverly carried out. The little girl 
heroine of them all will find friends in the girls of every 
part of the country.” — St. Louis Glohe-Democrat. 

A— 16 


BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


COSY CORNER SERIES 

It is the intention of the publishers that this series shall 
contain only the very highest and purest literature, — 
stories that shall not only appeal to the children them- 
selves, but be appreciated by all those who feel with 
them in their joys and sorrows. 

The numerous illustrationsjn each book are by well-known 
artists, and each volume has a separate attractive 
cover design. 

Each 16mo, cloth decorative, per volume . . $0.50 

By CAROLINE E. JACOBS 

BAB’S CHRISTMAS AT STANHOPE 

The story of Bab, a little girl, who is obliged to spend 
Christmas away from home with three maiden great- 
aunts. 

THE CHRISTMAS SURPRISE PARTY 

The story of how a little prairie girl, forlorn because 
her brother cannot get home for Christmas, accepts her 
brother’s old dog as a substitute and gives him a Christ- 
mas party. 

By CHARLES DICKENS 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL 

No introduction is needed to Dickens’ masterpiece, 
which so wonderfully portrays that Christmas spirit of 
“ peace on earth, good will to men.” 

A CHILD’S DREAM OF A STAR 

One of those beautiful, fanciful little allegories which 
Dickens alone knew how to write. 

By OUIDA {Louise de la Ramie) 

A DOG OF FLANDERS 

A Christmas Story. 

Too well and favorably known to require description. 

THE NURNBERG STOVE 

This beautiful story has never before been published 
at a popidar price. 

A— 17 


THE PAGE COMPANTS 


By MISS MU LOCK 

THE LITTLE LAME PRINCE 

A delightful story of a little boy who has many adven- 
tures by means of the magic gifts of his fairy godmother. 

ADVENTURES OF A BROWNIE 

The story of a household elf who torments the cook 
and gardener, but is a constant joy and delight to the 
children who love and trust him. ^ 

HIS LITTLE MOTHER 

Miss Mulock’s short stories for children are a constant 
source of delight to them, and “ His Little Mother,” in 
this new and attractive dress, will be welcomed by hosts 
of youthful readers. 

LITTLE SUNSHINE’S HOLIDAY 

An attractive story of a summer outing. “ Little Sun- 
shine ” is another of those beautiful child-characters for 
which Miss_Mulock is so justly famous. 

By MARSHALL SAUNDERS 

FOR HIS COUNTRY 

A sweet and graceful story of a little boy who loved 
his country; written with that charm which has endeared 
Miss Saunders to hosts of readers. 

NITA, THE STORY OF AN IRISH SETTER 

In this touching little book, Miss Saunders shows how 
dear to her heart are all of God’s dumb creatures. 

ALPATOK, THE STORY OF AN ESKIMO DOG 

Alpatok, an Eskimo dog from the far north was stolen 
from his master and left to starve in a strange city, but 
was befriended and cared for, until he was able to return 
to his owner. 

A— 18 



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